Environmental print is all around: it is the symbols, letters, scripts and logos that surround us in our homes and the world outside. Young children will be surrounded by incidental print from the moment they open their eyes in the morning. Their pyjamas may be adorned with letters, numbers and logos relating to cartoon characters; in the bathroom they will encounter print on toothpaste and other toiletries, while at breakfast, they will see lettering and logos on containers ranging from cereal boxes to jam jars. Recognising and interpreting such print is an important first step towards literacy.
Environmental print shows children the purpose of print as symbolic representation and as a form of communication. Once children's interest has been engaged in the purpose of incidental print, they enjoy searching for familiar symbols, logos, letters and numbers. They will begin to build up 'a sight vocabulary' of symbols and writing that has special meaning in their lives. Looking at print in the environment encourages them to begin to differentiate between scripts and symbols, as well as to recognise the purpose of signs and symbols in their world.
Young children do not understand the significance of these symbols at first. They will instead be attracted by shape and colour, and recognise and look for familiar illustrative clues. Adults need to be on hand to bring print to a child's attention.
As with the development of spoken language, the developing skills relating to the written word are usually linked to children's most basic needs and interests. The first logos and print that a child remembers are likely to be associated with food, sweets and toys! Research suggests that the most frequently recognised print among young children relates to fast-food outlets and world-famous fizzy drinks, with supermarket logos coming a close second.
Moving towards literacy
Children will begin to use examples of print from their environment when they start to experiment with their own writing. It is important to have lots of examples of print around the writing area and in imaginative play areas so that children get opportunities to 'read' and to copy scripts in their emergent writing.
Environmental print can take many forms in the early years setting. It is important for practitioners to establish a print-rich environment where signs and symbols are used to good effect. Labels should be purposeful, communicating information that is relevant and interesting to the children. They should be displayed at a suitable height and be changed regularly to sustain interest. While plenty of writing should be visible, signs and symbols should be used to enable children to 'read' important information.
Many settings use pictorial systems such as Makaton which, although designed for children with communication difficulties, can be useful for all the children in the setting. Using such systems helps establish a pattern where children look for information in a printed form. For example, if displayed as a time-line, a set of picture cards can be used to show the daily routine and can be used by all the children as a timetable.
The outdoor environment is also a good place to familiarise children with the concept of print. Practitioners can paint or draw signs, symbols and games on hard surfaces and walls, and label equipment to help children store resources at the end of a session.
Literacy experiences
Try to offer a range of literacy activities and experiences such as:
- Produce a book using photographs of environmental symbols and signs
- Incorporate pictures and symbols from popular culture into the environment, such as cartoon characters
- Search for children's initials in the environment, in books and on labels and posters
- Use pictures and symbols to assemble a daily 'menu' of available activities and experiences
- Decorate a table top with examples of different scripts and differing font sizes and cover with clear plastic
- Collect examples of letters from newsprint, magazines and brochures for the children to cut and paste
- Cut up the logos and print from familiar packaging to make large-piece jigsaws (use cereal packets and so on)
- Produce a lotto or matching game using familiar product logos
- Design and laminate individual placemats with names, letters and symbols for use at mealtimes
- Make a map using photos taken on a 'print walk' in the local neighbourhood (see below)
- Incorporate opportunities for literacy into all imaginative play experiences.
For example, for a baby clinic, include labels for areas such as the reception desk and buggy parking, sign for opening hours, noticeboard, instruction posters, scales and weight chart, products such as nappies, collage made by children using magazine pictures, wall calendar, appointment book and cards, telephone pad, staff badges, photos of clinic staff with name labels, baby equipment, clothes and toys catalogues, home-made 'baby book' (perhaps with photos of the children and staff as babies).
Environmental walk
Take the children for a walk around the local area and point out:
- names of streets and shops
- street signs and signposts
- car logos and number plates
- bus stop information
- railway station information
- Underground maps
- information on pillar boxes
- man-hole covers
- advertising posters
- messages about missing pets and jumble sales
- cards in newsagent windows
- cafe and restaurant menus
- open/closed signs
- adverts and special-offer signs in shop windows.
Take photographs of signs, symbols and other print seen on the walk as these can be used for multiple purposes such as making games, books, displays and maps.
Working with parents
Ensure that parents and carers recognise the valuable contribution that they can make to their children's reading habits. Provide information illustrating how they can bring print to their children's attention in everyday situations.
At home
Parents should model reading behaviour when reading newspapers, magazines and books, and can enlist their children's help when:
- using calendars and diaries
- making lists
- finding labels on clothes
- using TV listings
- searching for specific videos, CDs and DVDs
- using recipe books and DIY instruction leaflets.
Out and about
Parents can:
- draw their children's attention to the wide variety of print outdoors (see 'Environmental walk', above)
- play games of spotting letters, words and numbers written on roads and pavements such as embossed metal manhole covers
- encourage their children to seek out their favourite foods while shopping
- share with their children the information that is pinned to the parents' noticeboard in the setting.
