Which developmental milestone is typically reached first by young children beginning to achieve information literacy?

The awareness that print carries meaning is an essential developmental milestone for young children as they begin to understand information literacy. This awareness typically emerges during the preschool years when children start to recognize that text represents spoken language and conveys information. It is foundational for subsequent literacy skills, such as reading and comprehension.

Without this awareness, children would not grasp the concept that words on a page serve a communicative purpose. It lays the groundwork for further literacy development, including the ability to summarize stories, use technology for research, and evaluate sources. These later skills build on the initial understanding that print conveys meaning, making it a vital first step in the journey to becoming information literate.