What is the relationship between basic knowledge of print units and identifying specific letters/words?

The correct answer highlights the progression of skills in early literacy development, where basic knowledge of print units lays the foundational groundwork for identifying specific letters and words. Understanding print units, such as letters, words, and the spaces between them, is crucial for a child to begin recognizing letters and words effectively. This foundational knowledge helps learners understand the structure of written language, enabling them to decode and comprehend text more efficiently.

When children are familiar with print concepts—like recognizing the difference between letters and words, understanding that print carries meaning, and knowing the directionality of text—they are better equipped to identify specific letters and words. This foundational skill set is essential for progressing to more complex literacy tasks, such as reading and comprehension.

The other choices do not emphasize this foundational aspect effectively. Option A suggests that identifying specific letters and words occurs first, which overlooks the necessity of understanding print units as a precursor to that identification. Option B posits that both happen simultaneously, which might misrepresent the developmental sequence often seen in literacy learning. Option D dismisses the importance of both aspects as necessary for literacy development, which contradicts established research in literacy education that highlights the significance of understanding print units as a critical step in learning to read and write.