What do we mean by Print Awareness?
Print awareness instruction encompasses interactive activities that familiarise learners with the visual aspects of print, enabling them to navigate and comprehend written material effectively. Developing print awareness requires providing adapted materials and explicit instruction that address individual learning needs. This may involve using modified texts with simplified language, larger fonts, or visual supports to enhance comprehension and engagement.
Useful Resources
Incorporating hands-on activities, such as sorting and matching print elements, and providing direct instruction on print concepts can develop foundational print awareness skills in inclusive learning environments. Shared reading is a particularly effective strategy for promoting print awareness, as it allows students to observe print features in context while engaging in meaningful interactions with text.
“Explicit instruction in print awareness concepts, such as print tracking, directionality, and word boundaries, is crucial for building foundational literacy skills and understanding the conventions of written language”
The Reading Framework, 2023, DfEFoundations in Literacy Instruction