Focusing on the development of literacy, this book discusses the teaching of reading and writing through stories, songs, and poetry. It is argued that, to develop literacy, teachers must know what to teach, how to Teach efficiently, and how to assign practices through which children learn. The book is organized into three general parts. The first two chapters provide a statement of beliefs about literacy as natural learning and about reading readiness. Chapters 3 and 4 describe the reading process as apprehension and prediction and discuss ways to begin the teaching of reading. Chapter 5 centers on phonics as a skill to be learned through spelling and writing and applied in reading. The ideas expressed in this chapter are considered a fundamental part of teaching children about language and print. Chapters 6 through 9 address beginning writing and relevant research. The final chapter addresses the role of parents and nonteachers in reading instruction. (JD)