The International Literacy Association (ILA) maintains that phonological awareness has a critical role in early literacy and language development. Purposeful, efficient, and developmentally appropriate instruction in phonological awareness can support young children's literacy and language development and help them understand how to decode and spell words, particularly when combined with instruction in both alphabet and vocabulary knowledge. This brief discusses: (1) how phonological awareness develops; (2) why phonological awareness is important; and (3) guidelines for practitioners.