Print-Rich Environment

You can foster children’s curiosity about print, understanding that print conveys meaning and learning of letters, words and phrases through a print-rich environment. Here are some tips to do so:

• In the physical environment, surround children with a variety of print materials for children to see how print is used in different contexts. This sparks their curiosity and encourages them to explore further. 

• In the temporal environment, set aside time and space for them to talk about the print they see around them and relate to their learning experiences. 

• This enhances the interactional environment where children read, make sense and ask questions about the surrounding print.

Here are examples of print that you can incorporate:

• Environmental print: Encourage children to explore environmental print they encounter on a regular basis outside the classroom such as street signs, shop signs, menus and food labels.

• Labels: Use labels to help children recognise that print has meaning and to organise the classroom space. Combine the labels with pictures to facilitate their understanding.

• Lists, schedules and calendars: Display these to help children recognise and learn words and phrases that are regularly used.

• Messages: Use messages to inform children of changes in their routine or important happenings. This motivates them to learn to read.

• Alphabet and word charts: Display alphabet and word charts at children’s eye level to encourage them to recognise letters and words and become self-directed learners.