Final answer:
The optimal amount of time to teach phonemic awareness to kindergarten or first-grade students varies, but it should generally be introduced and reinforced throughout the school year.
Step-by-step explanation:
The optimal amount of time to spend on teaching phonemic awareness to normally progressing kindergarten or first-grade students will vary depending on individual student needs and progress. However, it is generally recommended to introduce and reinforce phonemic awareness skills throughout the school year to support their language development. Phonemic awareness activities can be incorporated into daily lessons, such as through rhyming games, segmenting and blending sounds, and identifying initial and final sounds in words. Consistency and regular practice are key to fostering phonemic awareness skills in young learners.