The following pages list some of the characteristics
common to readers and writers at each of the stages
covered in the Books for Young Learners resource.
These lists are not definitive. Any one student will not
display all of the characteristics listed for a level at any
one time. It is to be expected that a student will, at any
time, display characteristics from more than one of these
lists, and characteristics seen at one time may not be
observable at another. These lists are presented here as
guides and should not be used as checklists.
Characteristics not listed here may be evident as strong
traits in a student’s development.

Characteristics to Be Worked Toward at the
EMERGENT STAGE

◊ Willingness to converse

◊ Responds to questions

◊ Answers in full sentences when appropriate

◊ Uses conversation

READING

◊ Knows front and back of book

◊ Knows where to look for title and for
    author’s and illustrator’s names

◊ Turns pages accurately

◊ Is eager to write

◊ Written work relates to picture (perhaps only
    identifiable by child reading script)

Continued

More characteristics for oral language, reading
and writing for each of the stages of development
are described the Teacher Resources Book on
pages 4-13.