Understanding that words are made of letters is an example of what?

The understanding that words are made of letters falls under the category of "concepts of print." This term encompasses the knowledge and skills related to how printed language works. It includes recognizing that letters represent sounds and that these letters combine to form words, which is fundamental for developing reading skills.

Concepts of print help learners become aware of the structure of written language, such as knowing the direction in which to read, recognizing that words are separated by spaces, and understanding the different elements on a page (like titles, sentences, and paragraphs). This foundational understanding is crucial for beginning readers as it prepares them for phonics instruction and comprehension skills.

Although phonological awareness, prior knowledge, and reading fluency are also important components of literacy development, they do not specifically address the understanding of the visual representation of words as made up of letters. Phonological awareness focuses more on the sounds in language, prior knowledge relates to what a student already knows about a topic, and reading fluency refers to the ability to read text accurately and smoothly. Thus, the correct choice directly connects to the foundational understanding of print that is essential for literacy.