The development of phonological skills is a process that begins in early childhood and continues throughout a person’s lifespan. Phonological skills involve the ability to perceive and produce speech sounds accurately. They are also important for understanding words and for reading.
The process of phonological development can be divided into three stages. The first stage, known as infantile phonology, is when children learn to produce the sounds of their language. During this stage, they may make errors in pronunciation, but they are still able to understand and produce words correctly.
The second stage, known as early childhood phonology, occurs during the preschool and early elementary years. In this stage, children learn to produce more complex sounds and to understand the relationships between sounds. They also begin to learn to read.
The third and final stage, known as late childhood and adult phonology, occurs during the middle and late elementary years. In this stage, children begin to form rules about how certain phonemes combine to form words. They also learn to read more difficult texts.
The development of phonological skills is an ongoing process, and children will continue to improve their skills over time.
