Who is credited with the basic concepts of print?

Marie M. Clay is credited with the basic concepts of print, particularly through her work in literacy development. Clay's research focused on how young children understand and interact with print, which includes concepts such as knowing that print carries meaning, understanding the organization of print (like the directionality of reading), and recognizing letters and words. Her observations during reading recovery programs laid the foundation for many instructional practices in teaching literacy.

In contrast, Jean Piaget primarily contributed to the understanding of cognitive development, emphasizing how children acquire knowledge and how their thinking evolves over time. Lev Vygotsky is known for his social development theory and the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development, focusing on the importance of social interaction in learning. John Dewey, an educational philosopher, emphasized experiential learning and the importance of education as a tool for social reform. While each of these figures significantly influenced education, Marie M. Clay's specific focus on the early understanding of print is what distinguishes her in this context.