Print awareness includes the understanding that print has meaning and the idea that print is all around us. Not surprisingly, it’s a tremendously important pre-reading skill. It’s also a skill that you can foster while you’re going about your busy life. Next time you’re in the car, point out traffic signs and store signs/symbols. While you’re waiting in the doctor’s office or in line at the grocery store, check out the signs and labels, pointing out what they say and what they mean. All of this will help your child see the relationship between the written and spoken word, an important skill for a pre-reader.
You don’t have to be home and reading a book with your child to help him develop early literacy skills. This is just one of the many things that busy parents can do to help advance and reinforce these skills while you’re on the go.