Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of language, such as recognizing rhyming words, syllables, and individual phonemes. It is considered a critical skill in reading development, as it helps children understand the relationship between letters and sounds. Researchers in this area study how phonological awareness develops in children, how it is related to reading abilities, and how it can be effectively taught in educational settings. They also may explore the impact of phonological awareness on language development and cognitive processes.