Which key component is NOT a part of phonological awareness?

Phonological awareness is a broad skill that encompasses several elements related to the sounds of spoken language. It includes the ability to notice and manipulate various sound structures, such as phonemes, syllables, onsets, and rimes.

Understanding sentence structure, which refers to the rules and conventions that govern how sentences are constructed in a language, does not fall under the domain of phonological awareness. Instead, it pertains to grammatical understanding and syntax, which is separate from the ability to analyze and work with sounds at the level of phonemes or larger sound units. The other options—manipulating phonemes, identifying syllables, and recognizing onsets and rimes—all directly involve the awareness and handling of sound structures within a language, making them integral parts of phonological awareness.