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Reading 101
Print Awareness
Children who have an awareness of print understand that the squiggly lines on a page represent spoken language. They understand that when adults read a book, what they say is linked to the words on the page, rather than to the pictures.
Watch a short video clip that shows how 32-month-old Mira's parents help her become aware of print.
Children with print awareness understand that print has different functions depending on the context in which it appears – for example, menus list food choices, a book tells a story, a sign can announce a favorite restaurant or warn of danger. Print awareness is understanding that print is organized in a particular way – for example, knowing that print is read from left to right and top to bottom. It is knowing that words consist of letters and that spaces appear between words. Print awareness is a child's earliest introduction to literacy.
In a perfect world, all students would begin school with print awareness firmly in place. But the world is not a perfect place. So let's take a look at how teachers can help students to develop or increase print awareness.
New educational apps for mobile phones and tablets can supplement what your child is learning at home or in school. See our slideshow: Top 10 Print Awareness Apps >
Reading 101: Educational Literacy Apps | Print Awareness | Sounds of Speech | Phonemic Awareness | Phonics Informal Assessment | Fluency | Vocabulary | Spelling | Writing | Text Comprehension
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