Building a Print Rich Environment |

Creating a print-rich environment not only helps children experience literacy in a tangible way, but it helps to introduce them to the structure of language and literacy. When children are exposed to language and literacy through the process of emergence, their path to reading becomes seamless.

What is meant by print-rich environments? A print-rich classroom is classified as an environment that contains a variety of materials to connect children’s play with literature. These materials can range from books and magazines to the alphabet, and so much more. Choosing the right materials can be challenging for some early childhood educators, but it is important to not overthink this process.

Tips for Building a Print Rich Environment

Here are some examples of how you can create a print-rich environment in your early learning classroom.

Label everything. From the door to the trucks, take time to add a word label to the items in your classroom.

Word cards and Word Walls with pictures. Adding new words expands children’s vocabulary. Adding a photo with your words allows you to connect an object or idea to the language.

Adding paper and crayons, markers, pencils, and other things they can write with allows children to practice writing skills as they develop.

Calendars — monthly, weekly, daily

Children’s names- add children’s names to a sign in sheet, attendance chart, or other indefinable areas allows children to know they belong and connect their identity to their name. You can enhance this by also including a birthday list.

Connect words to play items. From manipulatives to blocks, children can connect a toy, game, or item to a word through labeling the area. Adding in a photo helps to further connect the language to the item.

Books, of course books! – add books everywhere. Books about art in the art area, books about building in the block area, and of course a nice cozy area where children can read alone or in small groups.

Building a print rich environment is an endless opportunity for you as an early childhood educator. The key to creating this environment is to remember that children are learning the connection of letters, words, and phrases as they explore in play. The more we can enhance their environment with language and literacy, the easier their growth in literacy becomes.

Experience Curriculum makes it easy to begin this process. With labels and station signs, word wall displays, and our circle time displays you can start building your print-rich environment from day one. To get started, order today.

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Kathy Banks, EdD. Early Childhood Education

Kathy Banks, Professional Development Lead for brightwheel, has 36 years of early childhood education experience. She has held various positions, including teacher, director, multi-site director, Head Start director, CCR&R, and QRIS Director. She currently adjuncts at several colleges and universities and continues to support and inspire educators through training and practical strategies. Kathy has her Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education and is a nationally certified Family and Consumer Science Developmental Educator. Her experience and education make her a scholarly expert in child development and the realities and challenges of teaching and directing every day.