What does print awareness refer to?

Print awareness refers to a child's basic knowledge about print and its organization. This includes understanding that print carries meaning, recognizing that it is read from left to right and top to bottom, and identifying different features of print, such as letters, words, and punctuation. Such awareness helps children develop foundational skills that are crucial for reading development.

Being aware of print means recognizing how it works within different contexts, which is the precursor to grasping more complex literacy concepts such as phonics, fluency, and writing. While phonics involves understanding the relationships between letters and sounds, print awareness lays the groundwork for these more advanced skills by helping children recognize the physical aspects of printed text. It is also distinct from fluency, which pertains to the speed and accuracy of reading, and concepts of writing, which relate to the skills needed to produce text. Thus, print awareness serves as an essential first step in building effective reading skills.