What is the purpose of scaffolded supports in early literacy?

• A. To gradually transfer responsibility for reading and writing from teacher guidance to student independence as skills develop.
• B. To test students' memory of reading rules without support.
• C. To replace instruction with independent practice from the start.
• D. To reduce the role of feedback in learning.

Answer: (A)

Scaffolded supports in early literacy are about providing targeted, temporary help that fits a learner’s current level and then gradually removing that support as independence grows. The goal is to move the student along the path from guided practice with teacher input to applying strategies on their own for reading and writing. Early on, a teacher might model a reading strategy aloud, give purposeful prompts or sentence frames, use graphic organizers, and provide immediate feedback. As the student shows understanding and fluency, the teacher decreases those supports, guiding the student toward independent problem-solving and performance.

This approach aligns with how kids build literacy skills—from recognizing sounds and letters to using strategies for decoding, comprehension, and writing—with the teacher's role shifting from director to facilitator. It’s not about testing memory without help, replacing instruction with independent work from the start, or reducing feedback; scaffolding hinges on feedback and support that fade as competence increases.