Print Concepts & Early Literacy IEP goals for preschool (ages 3 to 5)
21 of the print concepts & early literacy templates in the library are written for preschool (ages 3 to 5). Each opens in the builder, where the grade band is a starting point and the baseline comes from your own assessment.
21 templates · 1 skill · Pre-K · How we write and review goals
Goals by skill
Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Print Concepts & Early Literacy Reading
Handle a book from front to back
Book handling
By the annual IEP review date, during independent book time, given an unfamiliar picture book handed to the student closed and upside down, the student will look through the book from the front cover to the back cover following the book handling steps, performing at least 6 of 7 steps independently, across 3 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.
Turn the page when the adult finishes reading
Book handling
By the annual IEP review date, during one-to-one shared reading of a picture book when the adult reads the last word on a page and pauses, the student will turn to the next page at the pause independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Show where to start reading on a page
Left-to-right and return sweep
By the annual IEP review date, during shared reading of an unfamiliar picture book, when the adult asks show me where I start reading on 8 pages, the student will point to the first word in the top left of the print on each page independently with at least 88% accuracy on start-of-print questions, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Point to the words, not the picture
Print carries the message
By the annual IEP review date, during shared reading, when the adult asks show me what I read on 8 pages of an unfamiliar book, the student will point to the print when asked what the adult reads independently with 100% accuracy on print versus picture questions, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Sweep a finger left to right under print
Left-to-right and return sweep
By the annual IEP review date, during shared reading of a book with one line of print per page, when the adult reads a line and asks the student to show how the words go, the student will sweep a finger under the line of print from left to right while the adult reads it independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Make the return sweep to the next line
Left-to-right and return sweep
By the annual IEP review date, during shared reading of a book with 2 to 3 lines of print per page, the student will move a finger from the end of one line to the start of the next line down independently in at least 9 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Preschool print concepts & early literacy goals are measured inside daily routines rather than with worksheets, and the criteria are small: a few opportunities a day, a handful of steps, short periods of time. Conditions name the routine (circle, centers, snack) so any adult in the room can take the data.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Task-analysis checklistMarks each step of a routine as independent, with support, or not completed across sessions.Used by 4 goals here
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 8 goals here
- Accuracy trackerNumber correct out of number attempted, with percent accuracy and support level.Used by 9 goals here
Frequently asked questions
What do print concepts & early literacy goals look like for preschool?
They describe a readiness or developmental skill performed during a classroom routine, with a criterion in opportunities or steps. The support level is written in, since most preschool goals start with prompting and fade it.
How often should preschool goals be measured?
A few opportunities on most days, recorded on a trial or task-analysis sheet. Short, frequent samples match how young children show skills.
Does a preschool IEP need the same parts as a school-age IEP?
Yes. Measurable annual goals, present levels, and progress reporting are required at every age under 34 CFR 300.320. Preschool IEPs may also address participation in appropriate activities rather than the general curriculum.
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