Which instructional strategy is most effective for helping kindergarten students develop an understanding of concepts of print?

The choice of modeling how to track text during shared reading is highly effective for helping kindergarten students develop an understanding of concepts of print. This strategy directly engages students with the physical attributes of text, such as the directionality of reading (left to right), the differentiation between words and letters, and the awareness of punctuation. By witnessing a teacher model this tracking behavior, students can visualize and understand how written language is structured and how to interact with it.

During shared reading, the teacher can demonstrate how to point to words as they are read aloud, illustrating the connection between the spoken and written forms of language. This practice not only supports recognition of print but also reinforces early literacy skills, providing students with a foundational understanding that is crucial for their reading development. The act of tracking encourages students to observe text features and ultimately fosters independent reading skills as they learn to navigate books on their own.