What skill is being nurtured when a kindergarten teacher has a child point to words as they are read?

The skill being nurtured when a kindergarten teacher has a child point to words as they are read is print awareness. This practice helps children understand that printed text has meaning and is organized in a specific way, which is fundamental to their development as readers. By pointing to words, children learn that reading progresses from left to right and that words are made up of letters arranged in a specific order. This encourages them to recognize words and phrases visually, which is crucial as they begin to learn to read independently. Print awareness is an essential foundational skill that sets the stage for more advanced reading abilities.