Have you been hearing the chatter about the Google logo? I guess it’s been about two months since Google rolled out its new logo. Every morning when I saddle up to my computer, Google greets me. And while I shouldn’t admit this, I didn’t even notice the new font. I guess I have other things on my mind. However, now that it’s been pointed out to me, I do prefer the simplicity of the new logo. I’ve never been a fan of the fancy g.
Here at The Mailbox, we carefully consider the typefaces we use for children’s text. For example, we understand the importance of selecting for emergent readers fonts that feature traditional letter forms and have round, open letters. Type weight, spacing, and the leading between lines are also key considerations. Yet there are times when we look at each other and ponder whether kids growing up in today’s font-saturated environment notice the subtle differences in the text that surrounds them.
What do you think? Have your students ever questioned why a specific letter looks different in different places? Please share your thoughts about fonts.
Pondering,
Diane
Over the past 12 years of teaching pre-k, I have had only a handful of students who have noticed that some letters (such as g & a) sometimes look different. I explain that it’s just another way of writing them. I put the “fancy font” letters on a ring the the writer’s corner, and the students like to practice them.
I do prefer prefer, however, that my beginning-of-the-year books use “normal” text. Later in the year, though, I think it’s o.k. to discuss the “fancy letters.”