Building crucial bridges between theory, research, and practice, this volume brings together leading authorities on the literacy development of young children. The "Handbook" examines the full range of factors that shape learning in and out of the classroom, from basic developmental processes to family and sociocultural contexts,…

Administers a phonological task to 34 English-speaking grade 2 children (attending a bilingual English-Hebrew elementary school) to tap sensitivity to a phonemic contrast that occurs productively in Hebrew but is phonotactically constrained in English. Concludes a general level of phonological ability is required for reading to develop but that…

Describes the reading development of two Hispanic children during their first-grade year. Uses a qualitative, "confessional" narrative genre. Portrays their literacy emergence in relation to the teacher's expectations and the classroom balanced reading program. Interprets the children's reading development in light of current controversies in…

In learning to read, children must first understand the objectives of that skill: that the visible symbols communicate meaning and code certain features of speech. If a child does not understand this, learning will be impaired. For instance, children who are taught to read a language other than their native language learn better if instructions…

Considers whether the development of reading skills in different orthographies varies primarily as a function of common underlying cognitive processes, or as a function of orthographic transparency. Concludes that when the script is less complex young children appear to develop their word recognition skills with relative ease, even in the absence…

Problems occur in teaching English to the child whose native language is not English because of a lack of relevant research about the specification of the native language and the transfer of reading skills from one language to another. Most bilingual instruction in the United States is based on either the "native language approach"…

Shows that teachers often severely underestimate the literacy abilities of Navajo children. Makes the case for creating school literacy environments that build on the literacy orientation children bring with them from home and that provide opportunities to experience literacy in a wide variety of functional and purposive contexts. (RS)

"Phonological Awareness Training plus Letter Knowledge Training" is a general practice aimed at enhancing young children's phonological awareness, print awareness, and early reading abilities. Phonological awareness, the ability to detect or manipulate the sounds in words independent of meaning, is a precursor to reading. Phonological…

Reports that readiness tests given to children in bilingual villages in Papua New Guinea showed that children learning to read in an unfamiliar language were more confused than were children who had never had literacy instruction. (FL)

Investigates differences in reading acquisition processes between Dutch and Turkish children learning to read Dutch. Finds that both groups rely on comparable reading strategies. Presents a structural model to examine interactions between the various reading processes in Dutch. Suggests that children learning to read in a second language should…

This document presents some ideas about initial reading instruction in bilingual education. The bilingual programs created in 1969 seek the creation of equal educational opportunities through the use of instruction in a native language to children who speak a language other than English. Such programs attempt to teach two languages concurrently…

A study investigated initial reading acquisition in English and an ethnic tongue in two New York schools (Holy Martyrs, Armenian and St. Spiridons, Greek) which are representative of an immigration-based biliteracy tradition. The population consisted of students who were mostly (at least 80%) native born, English dominant, and from bilingual…

This volume presents the 53rd Yearbook of the National Reading Conference (NRC). The papers in this Yearbook reflect NRC's practice of pursuing not only traditionally important topics in literacy but also many issues that may not be deemed worthy of funding and government attention. Rather than a narrowing of the field, the submitted manuscripts,…