What does sound deletion involve?

Sound deletion involves the process of identifying what remains after removing a specific phoneme from a word. This skill is crucial in phonological awareness, as it helps learners understand the structure of words and how phonemes contribute to word formation. For instance, if the phoneme /s/ is deleted from the word "sand," the remaining sound is "and." This process is not merely about recognizing sounds in various contexts or forming new words but rather focuses on understanding how the removal of a sound changes a word's structure. By practicing sound deletion, students enhance their phonemic awareness, which is essential for reading and language development.