Which activity engages children in understanding the features of printed text?

Pointing to words while reading aloud is an effective way to engage children in understanding the features of printed text. This activity allows children to make direct connections between spoken language and written words, enhancing their recognition of individual letters and words. By visually tracking the text as they hear it, children develop skills such as word recognition, phonemic awareness, and an understanding of how text is structured. This practice also fosters an early familiarity with concepts of print, such as where to start reading on a page, the left-to-right directionality of text, and how punctuation influences reading flow and meaning. Engaging children in this way contributes to their overall literacy development.