Print Rich Environment

      A print rich environment is essential in any early childhood setting, especially a preschool classroom. A print rich environment has print abundantly displayed all around the classroom. According to Shari Ostrow Scher, a Curriculum Specialist for Early Childhood Education, "This environment must include an array of opportunities to see and respond to language in a 
context that is motivating and important to the child. This is particularly invaluable for students who come from homes without rich print opportunities," (Frederick County Public Schools, July 1999). 

    One aspect of a print rich environment included in my classroom is functional print, that is, print that gives information about routines, procedures and schedules. Examples of how we create a print rich environment are below...




Daily Schedule

Handwashing Procedure

First/Then schedule

Calendar/Weather

It is important to have print visible and accessible to students that coincides with their routines and procedures so that they can see that print is meaningful.