Lesson 5 (English) Print Awareness

Print awareness refers to a child's understanding of the various aspects of printed language. It involves recognizing that written language carries meaning and understanding the different features and functions of print. Developing print awareness is essential for laying the groundwork for literacy skills

Lesson

5 out of 7

Duration

60 mins

Delivery Method:

In-Person

Start Date:

September

Here's an elaboration on print awareness:

1. Understanding Print Concepts:

  • Book Handling Skills: Teach children how to hold a book correctly, turn pages, and follow text from left to right and top to bottom. This helps children understand the conventions of printed material.
  • Identifying Parts of a Book: Point out and discuss elements such as the title, author, illustrator, front cover, back cover, and spine of a book.

2. Recognizing Letters and Words:

  • Letter and Word Awareness: Help children understand that letters make up words and that words have specific meanings. Point out and emphasize the difference between letters and words.
  • Tracking Text: Use your finger to track the words as you read aloud. This helps children understand that the print on the page corresponds to the words being spoken.

3.Differentiating Print from Pictures:

  • Understanding Text and Illustrations: Discuss the differences between text and pictures in books. Encourage children to identify where the story is told in words versus where it’s shown in pictures.

4. Environmental Print:

  • Point out Signs and Labels: Draw attention to print in the environment, such as street signs, store names, labels on food items, or logos. This helps children recognize that print conveys messages and has real-life purposes.

5. Engaging in Reading Activities:

  • Shared Reading: Read aloud to children regularly and discuss the print elements in the books. Ask questions about the text and encourage children to predict what might happen next based on the pictures and print.
  • Interactive Reading: Use interactive books with features like lift-the-flap, touch-and-feel, or books that encourage children to engage with the text actively.

6. Encouraging Writing and Drawing:

  • Drawing and Writing Materials: Provide access to writing materials like pencils, markers, crayons, and paper. Encourage children to scribble, draw, or attempt to write letters and words
  • Model Reading Behaviors: Let children see you reading books, newspapers, or labels. Point out print as you read, demonstrating how print is used in everyday life
  • Praise Efforts: Celebrate and praise children’s observations and attempts at recognizing and understanding print elements. Positive reinforcement encourages continued engagement.
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7. Playing Print Awareness Games:

  • Print Awareness Games: Play games that involve print, such as scavenger hunts for specific letters, finding rhyming words in a book, or identifying sight words around the house.

5 Ways Parents can keep a child engaged in print exercises:

  • Create a Print-Rich Environment: Labeling Activities: Involve children in labeling everyday items around the house. Encourage them to write or draw labels for objects like toys, utensils, or furniture. This reinforces the association between spoken words and written language. Word Walls or Posters: Create word walls or posters with sight words, letters, or vocabulary words. Allow children to contribute by adding new words or illustrations to these displays.
  • Interactive Reading Activities: Shared Reading: Engage in shared reading activities where children actively participate by pointing to words or pictures as you read. Encourage them to predict what might happen next based on the text or images. Interactive Storytelling: Encourage children to create their own stories or books using drawings, pictures, or words. Help them write down the stories, and then read and discuss them together.
  • Word and Letter Games: Alphabet Scavenger Hunts: Organize alphabet scavenger hunts where children search for items around the house that start with each letter of the alphabet. This activity reinforces letter recognition and association with everyday objects. Letter Matching Games: Use flashcards or magnetic letters and have children match uppercase and lowercase letters or match letters to objects that start with that letter sound.
  • Writing and Drawing Activities: Story Journals or Drawing Prompts: Encourage children to keep a story journal or create drawings based on specific prompts. This exercise stimulates creativity and encourages them to express their thoughts through writing or illustrations. Making Books: Assist children in making their own books by folding papers and encouraging them to write or draw stories, adding text and illustrations.
  • Technology and Educational Apps: Interactive Learning Apps: Utilize educational apps or online resources focused on literacy and print exercises. Choose apps that offer engaging activities for letter recognition, tracing letters, sight words, or interactive storybooks. Typing Games: Introduce typing games or programs suitable for young children. These games can help familiarize children with letter placement on a keyboard while making it an enjoyable learning experience.

By incorporating these engaging print exercises into daily routines, parents can actively support their children’s literacy development, making learning enjoyable and reinforcing their understanding of written language.

Course: English