Which stage of reading development is characterized by a student beginning to understand that text carries meaning and can be read?

The stage of reading development characterized by a student beginning to understand that text carries meaning and can be read is emergent literacy. This phase usually occurs in preschool and early kindergarten years when children start to make connections between spoken and written language. They begin to recognize that print has purpose and can convey messages. During this stage, students engage in activities such as looking at picture books, listening to stories, and experimenting with writing, all of which help them become aware of the concept of written language.

In emergent literacy, children typically learn about letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and the structure of books, such as understanding that text is read from left to right and that it is composed of letters and words. This foundational knowledge is essential for their future reading development, as it sets the stage for more advanced skills in the early reading stage and beyond.