Sound Foundations

Strengthening Reading Development through Phonological Awareness and Phonics Integration

Authors

  • Reagan Murnan Wichita State University
  • Sandra Bequette Emporia State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62704/

Keywords:

assessment, instruction, literacy, phonological awareness, phonics

Abstract

Phonological awareness and phonics are critical components of early literacy development, serving as foundational skills that support decoding and reading comprehension. This manuscript explores the integration of phonological awareness and phonics through explicit, systematic instruction. It highlights the importance of transitioning students from recognizing and manipulating sounds to connecting these sounds with written symbols. Using evidence-based practices, educators can effectively address diverse student needs, ensuring all learners build a strong foundation for reading. Practical applications, such as tailored lessons and activities, are provided to guide educators in fostering successful literacy outcomes. 

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Author Biographies

  • Reagan Murnan, Wichita State University

    Dr. Reagan Murnan is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and Program Coordinator of the M.Ed. in Special Education Alternative Certification Programs at Wichita State University. Her research focuses on special education teacher preparation, writing for students with disabilities, and applied behavior analysis. Dr. Murnan is an affiliate member of the ARISE (Achieving Results in Special Education) Research Collaborative, bridging research and practice for schools and communities. She also serves as a board member of the Kansas Association of Teacher Educators and an editorial board member of the Midwest Education Journal. In her free time, Dr. Murnan enjoys cheering for DC sports teams and cooking. She can be reached at reagan.murnan@wichita.edu.

  • Sandra Bequette, Emporia State University

    Dr. Sandra Bequette is an assistant professor at Emporia State University and leads the M.S. in Early Childhood Unified program. With over a decade in higher education and prior experience as a Unified Prekindergarten teacher, she specializes in inclusive early childhood education. Her teaching focuses on curriculum, literacy, and anti-bias methods for children from infancy through third grade. Her research interests include early literacy, diversity, inclusion, and mathematical discourse, with her award-winning dissertation examining mathematical discourse in kindergarten students. Dr. Bequette is committed to ensuring young children, with and without exceptionalities, have access to high-quality, inclusive learning environments. She can be reached at sbequett@emporia.edu.

Kansas English, vol. 106

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Published

2025-07-15

Issue

Vol. 106 (2025)

Section

Practitioner Pieces

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Sound Foundations: Strengthening Reading Development through Phonological Awareness and Phonics Integration. (2025). Kansas English, 106. https://doi.org/10.62704/