Which skill is indicated by a child's ability to guess the meaning of a word from context?

The ability of a child to guess the meaning of a word from context is a clear indication of their text comprehension skills. Text comprehension involves understanding and making sense of written material, which includes interpreting vocabulary based on the surrounding text. When a child can infer the meaning of a word by considering the context in which it is used, it demonstrates their ability to understand the overall message or content being conveyed in the passage.

In this process, a child connects prior knowledge with new information, facilitating deeper engagement with the text. This skill is crucial for overall reading proficiency and helps children become more independent readers who can tackle unfamiliar words and concepts.

While the other options relate to important literacy skills, they do not specifically encapsulate the idea of deriving meaning from context. Phonic awareness pertains to the recognition of phonemes and the sounds associated with letters, spelling and handwriting focuses on the mechanics of writing, and fluent reading emphasizes reading speed and accuracy rather than comprehension.