What best defines 'Emergent Reader' performance?

The definition of 'Emergent Reader' performance is best captured by the understanding of basic sound/symbol relationships. Emergent readers are typically in the early stages of developing literacy skills, and this foundational knowledge is critical as it underpins their ability to decode words and comprehend written language. At this stage, the focus is on phonemic awareness, which involves recognizing the sounds associated with letters and how these sounds come together to form words.

This foundational skill is essential as it allows emergent readers to begin to connect letters with their corresponding sounds, ultimately aiding in spelling and reading simple texts. By mastering this basic understanding, they can gradually progress to more complex reading skills, making it a crucial indicator of their literacy development.

In contrast, the other options describe skills that are characteristic of more advanced readers. Writing essays, reading complex texts, and conducting research require a higher level of proficiency in language and comprehension that emergent readers have not yet achieved.