PHONEMIC SEGMENTATION, NOT ONSET-RIME SEGMENTATION, PREDICTS EARLY READING AND SPELLING SKILLS

CHILDREN (ranging in age from 5 1/2 to 9 1/2 years) were given four te sts of phonological skill. The relationships between these measures an d their predictive relationship with reading and spelling ability were investigated Performance at phonemic segmentation, rhyme sound catego risation, and alliteration sound categorisation improved with age, but all age groups performed onset-rime segmentation at a similar level. Although phonemic segmentation was an excellent predictor of reading a nd spelling ability, onset-rime segmentation was not. Rhyme and allite ration sound categorisation scores did account for statistically signi ficant variance associated with leading and spelling ability, but they were poorer predictors than was phonemic segmentation. It is conclude d that phonemic awareness is an important predictor of reading and spe lling ability, even in the early stages of development. Our findings q uestion the emphasis that has sometimes been placed on rhyming skills as predictors of reading and spelling ability.