What aspect of language does phonemic awareness fall under?

Phonemic awareness is a specific subset of phonological awareness, which encompasses the ability to recognize and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. This skill is essential for developing reading abilities, as it helps learners understand how sounds correspond to letters and words. Phonological awareness itself includes a range of skills beyond phonemic awareness, such as recognizing syllables and rhymes. However, the defining feature of phonemic awareness is its focus explicitly on the smallest units of sound, which makes it a critical component in the broader category of phonological skills essential for reading development. Understanding how phonemes function and can be manipulated supports early literacy efforts and aids in teaching strategies for decoding and spelling.