The kindergarten teacher observed that her new five-year-old student, Mei, had developed age-appropriate concepts about print. List three behaviors that would indicate that a child had developed concepts about print

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Behaviors which would indicate that a child has learned concepts about print include:
• Holding a book and turning pages appropriately
• Pointing word by word to the text as it is read aloud
• Noticing that the text, not the illustrations, carries the message
• Noticing that print is written and read from left to right and from top to bottom on a page
• Matching voice to print

• List three characteristics of fluent readers.

• Characteristics of fluent readers include:
• Reading words accurately, rapidly, and automatically
• Reading with expression
• Having a reading rate of 100 or more words per minute
• The ability to vary reading rate according to the demands of the specific text
• The ability to automatically recognize many words and identify unfamiliar words efficiently

• Give three effective ways in which teachers can help children learn the letters of the alphabet.

Research suggests that learning letters of the alphabet requires many, many experiences with meaningful written language. To encourage children's alphabet learning, it is recommended that teachers:
• Capitalize on children's interests by providing letter activities that children enjoy and by talking about letters when children are interested in talking about them.
• Talk about the role of letters in reading and writing.
• Provide a variety of opportunities for alphabet learning.
• Begin teaching letters of the alphabet by using two sources of words-children's own names and environmental print.