We look through the words and perceive the meaning, just as we look through a window and see the view. We cannot see the words and the meaning at the same time any more than we can simultaneously inspect the view and the glass in the window. Children become more aware of and better understand language when they experience it through literature. Literature is an enjoyable method for children to acquire language where they can sit and listen to stories being read to them and with them.
Children comprehend language more than they are able to express.
They usually understand the story completely but they cannot retell the same story in its entirety. They need to experience language via different types of literature. They must also gain more language principles, such as concept of print, to help them make sense of written language, learning how letters combine to form words and how words combine to form sentences. Thus, children are able to increase their vocabularies and develop comprehension skills. Language is a foundation of literature.