Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Which statement best describes the early reading stage?

1. Children understand the basic concepts of print and begin learning multiple problem-solving strategies while reading.

2. Children readily read complex texts independently.

3. Children solely focus on recognizing sight words.

4. Children write their own stories using phonics.

The correct answer is: Children understand the basic concepts of print and begin learning multiple problem-solving strategies while reading.

The correct choice is that children understand the basic concepts of print and begin learning multiple problem-solving strategies while reading. This statement accurately reflects the early reading stage, where learners are not only recognizing letters and words but also developing a foundational understanding of how print works, including concepts like directionality (left to right and top to bottom) and the function of various types of texts. At this stage, children are beginning to engage with reading in a more meaningful way. They start to use different strategies to decode words, such as phonetic awareness, context clues, and memory of known words. This foundational skill set sets the stage for more advanced reading abilities in the future. The other choices do not fully capture the breadth of skills developed during the early reading stage. Independent reading of complex texts typically occurs in later stages when children have developed greater fluency and comprehension skills. The focus on recognizing only sight words overlooks the importance of phonics and comprehension strategies that are also critical at this stage. Lastly, while children may write stories, the statement suggests a narrow focus on phonics without acknowledging other writing components, which does not completely represent their capabilities at this point in their literacy development.