Reading Environmental Print

     What is environmental print?  It is words or logos that children see around the house or around their town.  Things like Cheerios, McDonalds, Wendy's, Wal-Mart, Snickers, Pepsi, and traffic signs.
   Even if children cannot read, they can recognize environmental print.  This gives children an "I can read!" attitude.
     Using environmental print helps children begin to realize that print carries a message.  When Joseph was 2 every time he saw the golden arches with the word McDonalds he said, "There's my McDonalds.'
     Children who show little interest in print around their own environment also show that they have little awareness of print in other areas, like in books or writing.  As children become exposed to environmental print, this can transfer into recognizing words on a page.
     Make recognizing environmental print a game.  As you are driving around point to signs like stop, yield, etc.  Show your children that you can obey traffic signs because you can read the words.
     Read cereal boxes, juices, granola bars, grocery sacks and cleaning products around the house.  As things become empty cut out the environmental print.  Glue it on paper or cards.  Once you have cut out the logo, Cheerios, you can Xerox another one so you have two.  Make groups of two so you can play games like "go fish" and "concentration".

     This simple activity helps children become aware of print in their environment.  This is what we want.  Make your children aware of print that is all around them.  As they become aware other doors will open to them.  Give them a jump-start to life.  You are your children's greatest support system.  You are their first teacher.  By helping them recognize words, you help them learn the beginning skills of reading.  This opens the door as they learn that reading is fun and exciting!