What is the process of breaking down a word into its individual phonemes called?

The process of breaking down a word into its individual phonemes is known as segmenting. This involves identifying and isolating each sound in a word, which is a critical skill in phonemic awareness. For example, taking the word "cat" and recognizing its individual sounds /k/, /æ/, and /t/ is an example of segmenting.

This skill is fundamental in reading development, as it helps learners understand the sound structure of words, which is essential for decoding during reading and for spelling. Segmenting allows students to practice breaking words into their phonetic components, leading to improved reading and writing skills.