Glossary · Letters, phonics and word reading
What are print concepts?
Definition
Print concepts are the basic understandings about how print works: that it carries meaning, runs left to right and top to bottom, and is made of words and letters.
Adults take these for granted, but young students have to learn them. Where does the story start? Which way do I go at the end of a line? How is a letter different from a word? Why are there spaces?
Most students pick up print concepts from being read to, especially when the adult points to words now and then. Some need direct teaching, often those with less experience with books at home.
Print concepts are quick to check and quick to teach. A five-minute look through a picture book tells you whether a student knows the front cover, where to start reading and what a word is. If they don't, a few weeks of finger-pointing during shared reading usually fixes it.
In a lesson
Hand the student a picture book upside down. Ask them to show you the front, where to start reading, and one word. Then ask them to point to the first letter of that word.
Why does this matter for the record?
Check print concepts once at the start and note any gaps. They rarely need tracking after that unless something is missing.
Rate each skill as you teach it
Needs support, Developing, Secure. The rating schedules the review and builds the report.