A child who has print awareness understands that print represents words that have meaning and are related to spoken language.
Kids who have print awareness are able to do things like hold a book correctly and understand that books are read from front to back. They also realize that sentences are read from left to right.
Print awareness is one of five critical pre-reading skills. Without print awareness, children are unable to develop other literacy skills such as reading, spelling, and handwriting.
Kids who are read to on a regular basis naturally pick up many of the skills by following the examples of the people around them.
A child’s print awareness develops when those close to him point out letters and words in text found in the child’s environment. It also develops through playing word games, when you turn the pages of a book, and when you run your finger under a line of text as you read.
Here are five signs that indicate that your child has print awareness.
Your child knows how to hold a book correctly. If you hand your child a book upside down, he will turn it right side up before looking through it.
Your child understands that books are read from front to back and from left to right and knows how to turn the pages in the correct direction.
Your child pretends to write by scribbling or writing marks on paper. He understands that the “words” he is writing communicate meaning.
Your child points to text and asks what it says. He has become curious about the meaning of the printed text he sees all around him.
Your child picks up a familiar book and “reads” it aloud. He understands that the printed words are connected to the story.
The best way to develop print awareness is through a variety of print-rich experiences. Here are five engaging activities to enjoy with your child.
Teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet through the activities in this blog post. You’ll find ABC Playdough Mats, ABC Bracelets, Tactile Letter Cards, and more.
Have your child tell you a story. If your child needs a prompt, wordless picture books are great for this! Write it down on paper for her to illustrate.
Help your child create signs for the doors in the house, such as “Welcome to Lexi’s room,” “Bathroom,” “Mom and Dad’s Room,” or “The Kitchen Is Open.”
When the mail is delivered each day, have your child help you sort it according to which family member’s name is on the label. If interesting cards, ads, or magazines arrive, read parts of them aloud.
Read lots of picture books aloud to your child. Read reviews of fantastic picture books to share together, or download our extensive list. As you read to your child:
Print awareness is one of the five critical skills for reading readiness that we call the “Big Five Skills.” The other four skills are:
If you’re ready to tackle the rest of the Big Five Skills, be sure to check out the All About Reading Pre-reading program. Your student will enjoy special games, crafts, and story time read-alouds, and you will love the way your student effortlessly learns essential pre-reading skills.
Do you have any questions about print awareness? Post in the comments below!
Heather Hougas
says:It is so cool to read this and think back to how my children have done this natually with get reading for print awareness.
Krista
says:Thank you for the tips and resources
Melissa
says:My 4-year-old LOVES to “read” books that I don’t care for to her little 2-year-old sister! It’s great! I also love to transcribe stories that she dictates and make little story books to read aloud!
samantha wu
says:Printing helps my son to learn to slow down and be aware
Kris
says:Good Information!
Erica
says:Great ideas 😊
Maybe my next one will let me teath her how to read. My first taught herself at 3 without me 😂
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceErica,
Those little ones that are in such a hurry to learn sure do keep us on our toes!
BreAnn Chapin
says:Great ideas and resources! Thank you!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, BreAnn!
Brittney Brooks
says:Great ideas ! Thanks 😍
Heather Clark
says:It’s so exciting watching young children get ready to read.
Tiffany Ninemire
says:Looks like a fantastic product.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThanks, Tiffany!
Amy
says:This is awesome. Thanks for all your hard work.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Amy.
Eirynn
says:Some great ideas!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThanks, Eirynn!
K.Polkamp
says:This is such a great resource. It covers what is needed to develop life long readers!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you!
Betty Boiron
says:I love the idea of creating signs for the rooms, I am going to do that tomorrow with my kids for their rooms!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceHave fun, Betty. My kids loved making signs for their bedroom doors!
Amy Wisdom
says:We love sitting down and reading books together. Read alouds are some of our favorites.
Tonya S
says:We have implemented some of these, but good reminders to keep doing them! Thanks for sharing!
R G
says:I am excited that I am already doing some of the things on this list. Now I Don’t feel so behind. Thanks guys.
Carmen Monteto
says:This article is very informative–thanks!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Carmen!
Angela C
says:I love the sign idea and I never thought to say this is the cover of the book before great idea.
Betsy
says:I love the ideas in your “5 Fun Ways to Develop Print Awareness”. I plan to also place signs on my grandson’s bed, the sink, a table, milk and other items found in my home.
Daniela Bolton
says:Such a helpful articles. Given me such a different perspective of tackling this area!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad it’s helpful, Daniela!
Kori
says:Love this!
Lisa
says:Thank you for the ideas. It is so important to make the time to stop and teach in every day activities.
C. story
says:The extra resources you provide are so helpful!
elysse
says:great tips for helping a child
Jeniver
says:Thanks for all the suggestions for parents to ensure their child develops these skills!
Nicole Dechert
says:My daughter learned how to spell her brother’s name using the mail daily! I love it :)
Paula Eisenhauer
says:This is a very informative article and will greatly help me with the toddlers in my life.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad you found this helpful!
Laura Chandler
says:My four year old loves to look at the pictures of the books and make up her own story.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI love when little ones make up their own stories! It’s so cute, and sometimes even better than the printed story.
Sara
says:I can’t get enough of these ideas!!! These books are magical!