What challenges do emergent readers face?

Emergent readers typically encounter several foundational challenges that hinder their reading development. One of the primary obstacles is understanding concepts of print, which encompasses the knowledge of how written language works, such as the directionality of text, the difference between letters and words, and the understanding of punctuation marks.

Additionally, these readers often experience difficulties with phonemic awareness, the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds in words. This skill is crucial for decoding, which is the process of translating written symbols (letters and words) into sounds. Decoding is essential for reading fluency and comprehension.

Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects the range of difficulties that emergent readers commonly face, indicating that they may struggle with fundamental skills necessary for successful reading experiences. Mastery in these areas is vital for their progression to more advanced reading levels.