Which areas should teachers explore to promote early literacy?

• A. Only reading strategies
• B. The connection between reading and writing, handwriting development, and letter formation practices
• C. Mathematics integration
• D. Physical education

Answer: (B)

The core idea is that building early literacy comes from weaving reading with writing and giving children solid experiences with handwriting and letter formation. When kids see how words in books relate to the words they write, they begin to understand the link between sounds and letters, how stories are written, and how print carries meaning. Practice with handwriting and letter formation isn’t just about neatness; it reinforces letter recognition and helps kids recall shapes and names, which supports both decoding and spelling.

In practice, this means providing rich print experiences alongside writing opportunities. For example, children can engage in shared writing, label drawings, write simple words, and carefully form letters as they practice sounds. Activities that pair reading with writing — such as reading a story and then writing a sentence about it or creating a mini-book — strengthen the connection between how we read and how we express ideas in writing. Fine motor activities that promote proper pencil grip and letter formation further support fluency and accuracy as children grow as both readers and writers.

While other subjects can support literacy in indirect ways, they don’t center the essential link between reading, writing, and the physical act of forming letters, which is why this integrated approach best promotes early literacy.