What are some signs of readiness for literacy instruction in young children?

The correct choice highlights a crucial aspect of literacy development in young children: awareness of sounds and letters. This awareness is foundational for literacy skills. When children begin to notice that spoken language can be represented by written symbols, they are starting to understand the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and letters (graphemes), which is essential for reading and writing.

Awareness of sounds involves recognizing phonemes in words, which is a fundamental skill for phonemic awareness. This skill allows children to manipulate sounds in words, helping them to decode and read. Recognizing letters is equally important as it enables children to connect individual sounds to their corresponding letters, facilitating the process of reading and writing.

In contrast, the other options reflect characteristics or behaviors that are not indicative of readiness for literacy instruction. Disinterest in books and limiting language use would suggest a lack of engagement with literacy materials, which is contrary to the principles of literacy development. An ability to only identify shapes does not relate directly to literacy readiness, as it pertains more to visual-spatial skills rather than literacy skills. Finally, an inability to hold a pencil indicates a lack of fine motor skills necessary for writing, which, while important, is not a direct sign of literacy readiness.

Overall, awareness of