Which statement about emergent literacy in the Teaching Reading section is true?

Which statement about emergent literacy in the Teaching Reading section is true?

• A. Emergent literacy is not mentioned at all
• B. Emergent literacy only refers to writing practice
• C. Emergent literacy and developing foundational reading skills are emphasized
• D. Emergent literacy is unrelated to foundational skills

Answer: (C)

Emergent literacy covers the early experiences that prepare a child to read and write, including print awareness, oral language, phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and early story interactions. In strong reading instruction, emergent literacy is developed alongside building foundational reading skills—teachers support children as they explore how print works, learn letters and sounds, and talk about books, all while laying the groundwork for decoding and word recognition. This integrated approach is why the statement that emergent literacy and developing foundational reading skills are emphasized is the best fit. The idea that emergent literacy isn’t mentioned would overlook these early experiences; thinking it’s only about writing is too narrow; and saying it’s unrelated to foundational skills ignores how these early experiences underpin later reading success.

Emergent literacy covers the early experiences that prepare a child to read and write, including print awareness, oral language, phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and early story interactions. In strong reading instruction, emergent literacy is developed alongside building foundational reading skills—teachers support children as they explore how print works, learn letters and sounds, and talk about books, all while laying the groundwork for decoding and word recognition. This integrated approach is why the statement that emergent literacy and developing foundational reading skills are emphasized is the best fit. The idea that emergent literacy isn’t mentioned would overlook these early experiences; thinking it’s only about writing is too narrow; and saying it’s unrelated to foundational skills ignores how these early experiences underpin later reading success.