TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

Which sequence reflects the correct order for the development of phonological skills?

1. Phoneme awareness, counting syllables, recognizing and producing rhyming pairs

2. Counting syllables, recognizing rhyming pairs, producing rhyming pairs, phoneme awareness

3. Counting syllables, producing rhyming pairs, recognizing rhyming pairs, phoneme awareness

4. Phoneme awareness, recognizing rhyming pairs, producing rhyming pairs, counting syllables

The correct answer is: Counting syllables, producing rhyming pairs, recognizing rhyming pairs, phoneme awareness

The correct sequence for the development of phonological skills begins with counting syllables, followed by recognizing rhyming pairs, then producing rhyming pairs, and finally advancing to phoneme awareness. Counting syllables is foundational, as it helps learners break words down into manageable parts. This skill lays the groundwork for understanding the rhythm and structure of language. Once students are comfortable with syllable counting, they can move on to recognizing rhyming pairs, which involves identifying words that have similar ending sounds and enhances their auditory discrimination skills. Producing rhyming pairs takes it a step further, as students must not only recognize rhymes but also create them, developing a deeper understanding of phonological patterns. Finally, phoneme awareness involves the ability to manipulate and identify the smallest units of sound within words. This skill is critical for reading and spelling, making it a later step in the progression of phonological awareness development. The development of these skills follows a natural progression from more general to more specific, reflecting how children typically learn to manipulate sounds in language.