What skill is the bilingual kindergarten teacher focusing on when students segment the word "pelota" into syllables?

The emphasis on students segmenting the word "pelota" into syllables demonstrates a focus on phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness involves the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds or phonemes in spoken words. By breaking down "pelota" into its syllabic components, the teacher helps students develop their understanding of the sound structure of words, which is crucial for reading development. This foundational skill supports their future ability to read and write, as it strengthens their recognition of sounds and syllable patterns in language, contributing significantly to literacy skills.