In the pre-reading stage, children primarily focus on which concept?

In the pre-reading stage, understanding concepts of print is essential as it lays the foundation for later reading skills. This stage involves children becoming familiar with the basic features of written language, such as recognizing that print carries meaning, understanding how books are organized (like front to back), learning about spaces between words, and developing an awareness of letters and words as distinct entities. These concepts help children navigate books and prepare them for more advanced literacy skills.

While acknowledging sounds of letters and mastering phonological awareness are also important aspects of reading development, they typically come into play after children have a grasp of print concepts. Learning the meaning of words is more relevant to vocabulary development and comprehension, which occurs after the foundational concepts of print have been understood. Thus, emphasizing the understanding of concepts of print is crucial during the pre-reading stage, facilitating a smoother transition to active reading and literacy engagement.