What does the activity of pronouncing the word "mop" as /m/ and [ŏp] primarily promote for children?

The activity of pronouncing the word "mop" as /m/ and [ŏp] primarily promotes awareness of the structure of the word, specifically its onset and rime. In the example, the onset is the initial consonant sound (/m/), while the rime consists of the vowel and the following consonant sound ([ŏp]). By engaging in this activity, children develop their understanding of how sounds combine to form words, which is foundational for decoding and phonemic awareness. This skill is essential for later reading development, as it helps children recognize patterns in words and supports their ability to read and spell effectively.