What is the understanding of the basic concepts about written words referred to as?

The understanding of the basic concepts about written words is referred to as print awareness. This concept encompasses a range of knowledge that young readers develop regarding how print works, including recognizing that print carries meaning, understanding that books have a specific orientation (front to back), and realizing that text flows from left to right and top to bottom.

Print awareness is foundational for literacy, as it lays the groundwork for decoding and comprehending written language. Children with strong print awareness are more likely to engage with books and develop their reading skills, creating a smooth transition into more complex literacy tasks.

In contrast, phonics pertains specifically to the relationship between letters and sounds; phonetic awareness involves the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in language; and blending refers to the ability to combine individual sounds to form words. While these concepts are important components of reading instruction, they are distinct from print awareness, which focuses on the understanding of how print itself functions.