Six Skills of Early Literacy- Day by Day

Print Awareness
This is recognizing print and understanding how books or a piece of writing "works". As you read a story, occasionally point to words to show the sentences go from left to right, top to bottom. This will help them understand that the symbols on the page have meaning. They are words. When you read books, point out the cover with the title, author and illustrator, the back, the top and bottom. Help them understand how a book works by allowing them to handle books and turn pages.

Point out letters and words on objects throughout your day- McDonald's, stop signs, bathroom signs, menus, signs in a store, street signs, labels, etc...This is called environmental print. Make a list before going shopping and have your child be a part of it. Read them the list. When shopping use the list to make connection to the labels on the food. Read books and make your books.