Early Language & Literacy KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Early Language and Literacy KnowledgeBase is an online resource supporting language and literacy development in early learners from birth through age eight. Its focus is to support parents and caregivers in helping early learners with their language and literacy development, and teachers in enhancing their instruction for early learners from pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3.

Task 3: Intentional Instruction - Concepts of Print

Guideline: Being aware of print in their environment is a step early learners take in the progression to becoming readers and writers. Educators of early learners need to be aware of concepts of print to support their early learners. This tasks provides information on concepts in print.

resources

PRACTICAL TIPS

Teaching About Print

This link to the U.S. Department of Education publication Teaching Our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool Teachers, Childcare and Family Providers provides information on teaching about print. As noted at its website, this guide "draws from scientifically based research about what pre-school teachers and childcare providers can do to help children develop their language abilities, increase their knowledge, become familiar with books and other printed materials, learn letters and sounds, recognize numbers and learn to count."

REFERENCES

Concepts About Print

This link to the Teaching Reading website provides information on concepts about print.

Giving Children Access to Print Materials Improves Reading Performance

This link to the Reading is Fundamental website reports on an analysis of how give children access to print materials impacts reading performance. The analysis was commissioned by Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and conducted by Learning Point Associates.

Read Tennessee - Concepts of Print

This link to the Read Tennessee website provides information and resources on concepts of print. The resources include several videos, resources to read, teaching strategies and activities with young children. As noted at its website, "Read Tennessee, a joint project designed to allow teachers, families and community members to work together for the benefit of young children throughout the state of Tennessee." Though intended for Tennessee educators, teachers of young learners in other states may find its content useful.

PRESENTATIONS

Watch and Learn: Print Awareness - Becoming Aware of Print

This Reading Rockets video illustrates the parents' role in helping young children be aware of print. The video runs approximately four minutes in length.