Emergent Literacy: Environmental Print

Today, we began a very important step in the emergence of beginning reading.  I asked the kiddos, "How many of you can read?" and some hands went up.  Then I showed them some environmental print.  And abra-cadabra, we were ALL reading!  Wow, were we EXCITED!

Environmental print is the print found in the everyday world around us and is usually some of the first print a child recognizes because it holds great meaning.  Recognizing this print is one of the beginning stages of literacy development.  Many times, your child might simply need you to point this print out to them and point out that he/she IS READING!

So today, I used your examples of EP you sent in and posted them around the room.  The kiddos walked around and looked for a piece of print they could read.  Then, we made a class book:

So, you have some more HOMEWORK! :)  This weekend, take an "Environment Print Field Trip."  You can do this on a walk, in the car, or by visiting a meaningful place for your child.  Point out the signs and print around you.  See which ones your child can read and support him/her in reading new ones.  And HAVE FUN!  You can even say, "Look around, look around, what do you see?" and have your child respond with, "I see __ in front of me!"  This experience will build your child's confidence as a new reader.

Click here for an article on Environmental Print.  Try some of the other ideas they suggest!