What term describes the process of children understanding how books are used and designed?

The correct term for the process of children understanding how books are used and designed is literacy socialization. This concept encompasses the ways in which children learn about the conventions of print, the structure and purpose of books, and the overall experience of engaging with written materials. Literacy socialization occurs when children are exposed to books and reading practices in their environments, allowing them to develop an understanding of how to handle books, recognize that print carries meaning, and appreciate storytelling.

Other options such as oral language acquisition are focused primarily on developing spoken language skills rather than an understanding of printed texts. Reading comprehension refers to the ability to understand and interpret written content, which comes after children have developed an understanding of how books work. Phonetic awareness is about recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken words, which is also distinct from the broader understanding of book usage and design. Therefore, literacy socialization is the most appropriate term for this process of learning about books and print.