From Sounds to Letters: How Listening Builds Writing Skills

We know parenting isn’t easy. That’s why we’re here to help you give your child the best support possible.

It stands to reason that it is difficult to write without hearing. After all, how else would you know which letters make up the word “mouse”? But you might be wondering: what does Phonological Awareness and Literacy have to do with each other? And is listening alone enough to write correctly?

The Ear-to-Pen Connection

In our previous discussion, we defined phonological awareness as the ability to think about words without focusing only on their meaning. If you missed the basics, you can catch up here: [link to: Why Listening and Rhyming Are Keys to Better Pronunciation].

When a child has strong phonological awareness, they recognize that a word changes completely when you swap just one sound. For example, changing an "O" for a "U" turns "Ohr" (ear) into "Uhr" (clock).

This awareness is the only way we can write down exactly the right letters. Recognizing syllables also makes it easier for children not to forget parts of a word when writing it down. It’s the "mental spellcheck" that happens before the pen even touches the paper.

Getting Technical: The Rhythm of Vowels

As your child progresses in learning to write, things get a little more technical. A major part of spelling in many languages depends on recognizing vowel length.

It is vital to recognize which vowels are pronounced long and which are pronounced short. This allows us to distinguish which words need a double consonant. Take these examples:

• “Hasen” (rabbits in German): The vowel "a" is long.

• “hassen” (to hate in German): The vowel "a" is short, giving us a clue that we need a double "s."

Without a trained ear, a child cannot hear that tiny difference in timing, which leads to persistent spelling struggles later on. This is one of the many specialized areas covered in professional therapy. You can see how these skills are built into a session here: What Actually Happens During Speech Therapy? The Complete Lesson Breakdown.

Is Listening Enough?

Is conscious listening and good phonological awareness enough to ensure that children have no difficulties with reading and writing?

Unfortunately, no. While it is an essential building block, we need more than that for complete literacy.

• Memorization and Rules: There are rules and exceptions that just have to be memorized. For example, phonological awareness alone doesn't help a child distinguish between “Wahl” (choice) and “Wal” (whale) because they sound identical.

• Visual Literacy Skills: Everything that has to do with the eye is also important. Distinguishing between a small “b” and “d” is a particular challenge for many children. This is where work on visual skills becomes necessary.

  
  

How to Support Your Child Today

If you want to support your child in one of the core building blocks of correct written language acquisition, then our app is just right for you. We focus on these foundational listening skills to give your child a head start before they even reach the classroom. You can start their journey here: [link to: Home Page].

Building these skills early can significantly impact how long a child might need professional support. If you're looking ahead at the therapy journey, this might be helpful: 5 Questions That Predict How Long Your Child Will Need Speech Therapy.

Conclusion

Writing starts with the ear. By helping your child "hear" the structure of words, you are laying the tracks for their success in school. It is a journey of sounds, symbols, and eventually, stories.

You’re doing a great job, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.