What term describes the understanding that spoken words consist of a sequence of individual sounds?

The understanding that spoken words consist of a sequence of individual sounds is termed phonemic awareness. This concept is a critical skill in early literacy development, as it involves the recognition and manipulation of phonemes, which are the smallest units of sound in a language. Phonemic awareness is essential for children to develop strong reading and spelling skills because it enables them to associate sounds with letters and understand how words are constructed.

In contrast, morphology refers to the study of the structure and forms of words, including prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Graphophonic cues involve the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters or letter combinations, playing a role in decoding written text but not focusing solely on the individual sounds of spoken words. Syntax relates to the rules that govern sentence structure, including word order and sentence formation, which does not address the specific understanding of sounds within words.