Developmental Accomplishments of Literacy Acquisition

Three- to Four-Year-Old Accomplishments

• Knows that alphabet letters are a special category of visual graphics that can be individually named.
• Recognizes local environmental print.
• Knows that it is the print that is read in stories.
• Understands that different text forms are used for different functions of print (e.g., list for groceries).
• Pays attention to separable and repeating sounds in language (e.g., Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater, Peter Eater).
• Uses new vocabulary and grammatical constructions in own speech.
• Understands and follows oral directions.
• Is sensitive to some sequences of events in stories.
• Shows an interest in books and reading.
• When being read a story, connects information and events to life experiences.
• Questions and comments demonstrate understanding of literal meaning of story being told.
• Displays reading and writing attempts, calling attention to self: "Look at my story."
• Can identify 10 alphabet letters, especially those from own name.
• "Writes" (scribbles) message as part of playful activity.
• May begin to attend to beginning or rhyming sound in salient words.