What skill is characteristic of early development in the alphabetic principle?

The alphabetic principle refers to the understanding that letters represent sounds and that these sounds combine to form words. Early development in this area is observed when students begin to identify key sounds in words and represent them through writing. The act of writing the first letter of key words to create a sentence demonstrates this skill. It shows that the learner is recognizing the relationship between sounds and letters, which is foundational for reading and writing.

When students engage in this practice, they are not just writing letters randomly; they are applying their knowledge of the alphabetic system to construct meaning. This aligns directly with early literacy skills, where recognizing phonemes and corresponding letters is crucial for word formation and comprehension.

In contrast, the other options highlight skills that are typically developed later. For example, using punctuation correctly requires a more advanced understanding of grammar and sentence structure, while reading aloud fluently and understanding text structure involve more complex cognitive processes that come after foundational skills like the alphabetic principle have been mastered.