Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

What is promoted by children identifying letters and words during walks?

1. Creative writing skills

2. Familiarity with environmental print

3. Public speaking abilities

4. Memory retention skills

The correct answer is: Familiarity with environmental print

When children identify letters and words during walks, they are engaging with the concept of environmental print. This practice exposes them to the written language that exists in their surroundings, including signs, labels, and advertisements. Recognizing these forms of print helps children to understand that written words have meaning, reinforcing the connection between spoken and written language. By interacting with familiar symbols and letters, children build their literacy skills in a meaningful context. This can motivate further reading and writing practices, as they begin to recognize and understand that print is an integral part of their daily life. Additionally, it encourages observational skills and enhances their general knowledge about the world around them, making learning both experiential and contextual. While identifying letters and words during walks may have benefits for creative writing skills, public speaking abilities, or memory retention, the primary promotion of this activity is the familiarity with environmental print, which is crucial for early literacy development.