New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What understanding do young children develop about print?

1. Print has no meaning

2. Print carries meaning

3. Print is only for decoration

4. Print should be memorized instead of understood

The correct answer is: Print carries meaning

Young children develop the understanding that print carries meaning because they begin to recognize that the symbols and letters they see represent ideas, stories, and information. This understanding typically arises through exposure to books, storytelling, and interactive reading experiences where children connect words to spoken language and comprehend that print is a vehicle for communication. As they engage with print in their environment, they learn to associate written words with objects, actions, and concepts they already understand. This realization helps form the foundation for literacy skills, such as reading and writing, as they grasp that print serves a purpose beyond mere visual elements. The notion that print conveys meaning is a critical milestone in early literacy development, influencing children's motivation to engage with reading as a tool for exploring the world around them.