What Is Book & Print Awareness?
A child's understanding of knowing how books and printed words work.
How Can I Teach This At Home?
Playing
1. When playing with your child, add printed instructions to playtime.
2. Add printed signs or logos to your child's play time (e.g., a sign for a store).
Reading
1. Read books that have words scattered across the pages.
2. Read books with words that swirl across the pages!
3. Read books with flaps!
4. Read books with different size and colored fonts.
5. Have your child follow the words with their finger as you read.
Singing
1. When reading a book, sing the words instead of simply talking!
2. Print out the words to songs and point them out as you sing to your child.
Talking
1. Point out signs to your child when you see them.
2. Write what you or your child is saying to show them that words have symbols; this will help them associate talking with printed letters.
3. Hand your child a book and ask, "Can you find the front of the book?".
Writing
1. Have children draw pictures and ask them to talk about what is happening in the picture.
2. Have children make lists or their own storybook!
Skills Checklist
Where Do I Start?
The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Call Number: EASY AGEEISBN: 9780525555452Publication Date: 2018
Need More?
The catalog for the Waco-McLennan County Library is available here!
If you want to search for more resources in our catalog in this subject, we suggest you search for the following subject headings:
For more assistance with searching and locating items held by the Waco-McLennan County Library, use our Ask a Librarian feature available on our catalog website or stop in to one of our branches!
The Waco-McLennan County Library provides patrons with access to resources through our Electronic Resources page, which can be found here. Suggested databases are listed below:
Did You Know?
The most appropriate books for children before kindergarten are board books and picture books. Until children are two, they will most likely only be engaged with board books. Each board book ranges from 8-24 pages with usually under 50 words, while picture books range from 24-32 pages and can feature up to 500 words!
Online Resources
There are many different online resources for early literacy - and we know it can be overwhelming. The following apps, blogs/newsletters, videos, and websites are some of the materials we would recommend to learn more about book & print awareness!
APPS
1. ABC - Magnetic Alphabet HD for Kids
BLOGS/NEWSLETTERS
1. All About Learning Press: How to Develop Print Awareness
2. The Daily Alphabet: Print Awareness
3. Reach Out and Read: Promoting Print Awareness
VIDEOS
