Where does reading success begin? It starts with the understanding and use of the alphabetic principle, or the idea that words are made up of sounds and the sounds are represented by letters.  It’s important to provide students in primary grades ample time to play with sounds even before exposing them to print!  Phonological awareness, including phonemic awareness is usually learned in primary grades, through a continuum of skills needed to create proficient readers. Research supports the idea that phonemic awareness is a strong predictor of future reading success. This session will provide teachers with strategies for teaching these foundational reading skills. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the role these skills play in reading development.