Benefits of using environmental print to promote early reading proficiency / by McKenna Billie

Many students face challenges in reaching age-appropriate reading levels, which often limits their academic progress later. This research focuses on identifying an effective process for students to improve their reading skills. The study introduces the use of Environmental Print as a foundational tool in the early stages of reading development. Environmental Print is the text and symbols in everyday surroundings like street signs, grocery labels, and restaurant logos, that has emerged as a foundational tool for reading development. By using Environmental Print, students will begin to associate letters with sounds, which supports automatic recognition. This approach aimed to provide a structured path toward reading proficiency in both letter sound association and word recognition. Additionally, a content analysis was conducted at each stage of the strategy to evaluate its effectiveness and refine the process, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of students. The findings offer educators a practical strategy to assist students in overcoming early reading difficulties that they may encounter.