When a preschool teacher asks a child to show where to start reading in a book, what information is the teacher most likely trying to assess?

When a preschool teacher asks a child to show where to start reading in a book, the primary focus is on the directionality of print. This concept involves understanding that reading begins from a specific point on the page and follows a particular direction, typically left to right in English. By prompting the child to identify the starting point, the teacher is assessing the child's knowledge of the mechanics of reading, including how to handle a book and the sequence in which the text is read.

Comprehension skills pertain to a child's ability to understand and interpret text after it has been read, which goes beyond merely knowing where to begin. Reading speed is concerned with how quickly a child can read text, indicating fluency rather than initial reading navigation. Word recognition involves identifying specific words and is also a more advanced skill than simply understanding where to start reading. Thus, the teacher's question directly targets the foundational skill of directionality, essential for developing early reading habits.