Even before they can read, children as young as three are beginning to understand how a written word is different from a simple drawing, the US study found.
The nuance could provide an important early indicator for children who may be slower to get the hang of reading, suggested the Washington University psychologists.
‘Our results show that children have some knowledge about the fundamental properties of writing from a surprisingly early age,’ said study co-author Professor Rebecca Treiman.
Prof Treiman, based in the university’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in Arts & Sciences, said, ‘Based on the results, it may be possible to determine at an early age which children are progressing well in the learning of emergent literacy skills and which children may need extra attention.’
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