Print Awareness And Reading Readiness: Language and Literacy In Children Aged 3 -5

Widely Held Expectations

• Child shows an awareness of print as a form of meaningful communication
  • Follows the print on the page, moving eyes from left to right and top to bottom (uses finger under print)
  • Identifies some letters and numbers
  • Recognizes and begins to write own name
  • “Reads” familiar environmental print (logos, posters, signs, etc.)
• Child understands that each spoken word can be written down and read

Learning in Action: Examples

The Child

• Asks people to read stories, signs or notes
• Reads several words or a few simple phrases or sentences
• Points to words using a left to right progression when “reading” picture books
• Picks out and labels specific letters from their name when looking at book titles or program labels
• Wants to read stories to others

The Adult

• Writes children’s explanations or labels on projects, artwork, block constructions, etc.
• Encourages children to help read the job chart, program rules and daily schedule
•  Encourages children’s interest and their attempts to copy or write their own name

The Environment Includes

• Pictures, posters, labels on cubbies, materials, toy shelves, etc.
• Easily accessible writing center filled with a wide variety of materials (books, children’s names, signs, children’s artwork and stories, labels, alphabet charts, pencils, markers, etc.)