Considers theory and hypotheses about the relationship between preschool experiences and literacy outcomes that are based on the longitudinal Home-School Study of Language and Literacy Development project, now in its fourth year of data collection. Also discussed are the sample, data collection techniques, and types of analysis being used in the…

Presents some suggestions for nurturing and supporting emergent readers and writers (e.g., recognize drawing as an important step in early literacy, engage children in conversations about their daily experiences). Also presents an interview with two authors on the special literacy needs of students with major instabilities in their lives. (SM)

Noting that many parents who might teach their young children are often discouraged by a lack of information or fear of being labeled "pushy," this book provides parents with a step-by-step program for teaching preschoolers letters and numbers as a way of giving children a head start on formal education. The handbook consists of a…

A project developed processes for improving the reading comprehension of third- and fourth-grade students in two progressive suburban communities in northern Illinois. Analysis of probable cause data revealed that students lacked knowledge of reading strategies and a review of the district's general curriculum and textbooks revealed systematic…

The influence of informal literacy learning during the preschool years was studied. Preschool teachers in 4 low-income areas read to their classes regularly in an effort to make students enthusiastic about reading. Teachers were also asked to visit families in particular need of help. Three books were sent home with each child twice a week, and…

The product of a two-year study investigating the literacy behavior of nine kindergarten students and their classmates, this report first explains the impetus and the theoretical foundations for the investigation and describes its subjects and setting. It then presents the methodology and the data collected from several related studies: (1)…

Stressing that children need opportunities to grow and learn according to their own individual needs, this paper discusses appropriate reading objectives for kindergarten children and suggests numerous activities for kindergarten children who know how to read. The first part of the paper deplores the current trend to skip important developmental…

The results of the evaluation of the French immersion program at a school in a unilingual English environment are described. A battery of tests was administered to a random sample of children from the kindergarten and grade one experimental French immersion classes and to a comparison group composed of children following the regular English…

An examination is made of proposals for early reading in terms of the best time for beginning instruction and the effects upon children. In any discussion regarding early reading one must distinguish between prereading activities and formal reading instruction and must determine whether formal instruction is intended for all children or for those…

The effects of teaching prereading skills to kindergarteners on their reading readiness scores were investigated. Seventeen kindergartens providing a cross section of socioeconomic levels and representing different ethnic groups were selected. Each experimental school was then matched to a control school. In the experimental schools, six major…

This publication provides information that can support parents in their efforts to assist their young children's literacy development. Provided in a format that can be copied, these "literacy tips" are supplied for these three age groups: ages 0-3, ages 4-6, and ages 7-8 and are preceded by lists of ideas for using them in a family literacy…

Examined whether students' prereading and prearithmetic test results varied as a result of the teaching strategy used. Subjects were 446 teachers and 5,490 children, 4-6 years old, from Dutch infant classes 1 and 2 of primary education. Socioethnic background was found to be more significant in explaining test results than teaching method. (JPB)

This study used interview transcripts, videotape recordings of classroom sessions, field notes, and classroom photographs to examine the theoretical and pedagogical stances of three preschool teachers concerning language and literacy development of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Teachers held differing theories which influenced their…

Presents the 1998 position statement regarding early literacy development formulated by the International Reading Association and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Outlines issues and reviews research. Offers a set of principles and recommendations for teaching practices and public policy. Includes a continuum of…

A study of 39 rural kindergarten students and their parents examined the relationships between parental print exposure, socioeconomic status (SES), and children's early language and literacy skills. Results suggest that SES had minimal impact on children's literacy and that parental print exposure strongly influenced children's vocabulary and…