Final answer:
The idea that phonological awareness should start with listening games that focus on words is true, as this foundation is vital for reading and includes identifying sounds, rhymes, and syllables.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that phonological awareness should start with listening games that focus learners' attention on words is true. Phonological awareness is a critical foundational skill in learning to read and involves understanding different sounds in spoken language. This skill starts with the ability to recognize and work with sounds in spoken language and typically includes activities like recognizing rhymes, alliteration, and eventually, the manipulation of sounds to form different words.
Activities that can help develop phonological awareness include sorting words by common sounds, counting syllables in words, and listening for specific phonemes within words. These exercises help students differentiate between similar and distinct sounds, which is crucial for reading and spelling success. For example, when sorting words based on the sounds of <y>, <w>, or <u>, students practice distinguishing subtle sound variations.
Listening activities should be engaging and enjoyable to keep learners motivated and attentive. Through such games and practice, students can become more sensitive to the phonological structure of words, an essential step in developing literacy skills.