These are foundational understandings about how printed language works. They encompass awareness of print directionality (reading left to right and top to bottom), knowledge that print conveys meaning, recognition of letters and words, and understanding of spaces and punctuation. For example, a child demonstrating these understandings can point to the first word on a page, identify a letter within a word, and explain that the marks on the page tell a story.
Mastery of these understandings is a critical predictor of later reading success. A firm grasp allows students to approach reading with confidence and focus on comprehension rather than decoding the mechanics of print. Historically, these skills were often assumed, leading to difficulties for students lacking early exposure to books and literacy practices. Explicit instruction and modeling, therefore, is essential for equitable access to literacy.
