The concept of scaffolding can be used as a framework to argue that a "rich interpretation" in child language is needed in the area of early literacy learning. Child language is the reading-like text language of "prereading" kindergarten children. Two threads (internal and external) of the scaffolding process have been identified. The external…

Memorable language that delights children, makes them laugh or gasp, or causes them to ponder and wonder is the literature that will begin the process of teaching them to read and write. Literature is meant to connect, not with reason primarily, but with readers' and listeners' imaginations and emotions, and in the case of poetry, with something…

Containing over 200 quality time activities for preschool-age children and their parents, "Smart Times" is designed to promote the development of children's physical, social, and cognitive skills and to help parents and children enjoy each other's company more. Recipes for fun and learning are provided to stimulate imagination, promote…

Seventy-eight kindergarten children were randomly placed in four experimental classrooms. Two of the classes were taught with the basal reader approach to reading readiness, and two were taught with the conceptual-language program approach. An extensive pretest battery was given to these children in October 1967. Instruction in the two approaches…

Describes an adult literacy program in which semiliterate adults improve their skills by reading to children at a New York (New York) daycare center. The adults are able to use developmentally appropriate books without losing self-esteem and the children benefit from initial literacy experiences. (FMW)

This paper describes the home and school experiences of 12 children from bilingual (mostly Chinese/English) homes who, before beginning first grade, demonstrated advanced ability to comprehend written English. Results demonstrate that lack of fluency in oral English should not exclude children from advanced instruction in reading. (Author/JDD)

This conference was designed to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas on how parents, teachers, and other concerned individuals can contribute to strengthening the educational support system, and to generate practical information on strategies to improve achievement levels of youth. The first article, titled "Conference Program…

This report provides research-based answers to questions about literacy development from infancy to age 6, with emphasis on the development of these skills in precocious readers. The question-answer format considers the importance of reading with young children, other activities to help young children learn to read, normal development of reading…

This literature review examines selected variables that may influence teachers' ability to read books to preschool and elementary deaf children in total communication programs. The paper explores the role of signs in reading stories and factors influencing the signability of stories, including reading rate, length of sentences, length of text used…

This ethnographic, longitudinal study investigates the home literacy experiences of low income children to gain insight into why such children generally do not learn to read and write as well as middle class children. Participating were 24 children, approximately 2.5 to 3.5 years of age, in groups equally divided by sex. Subjects were from three…

Among those who share the responsibility for developing the reading habit in children are the child's family, schools, libraries, publishers, booksellers, and the mass media. There are many ways to read, just as there are many kinds of reading materials, including poetry and narrative stories. Some children read only to follow the plot, others add…

A high quality reading readiness program should be available for each student beginning reading. Such a program should be sequential and should emphasize (1) securing the students' interest in reading, and in achieving reading skills, (2) attaching meaning to content being studied in a reading readiness program, (3) providing for each student's…

These ideas and suggestions for teaching children of all ages the basic skills are for use by both parents and teachers. The first materials provided are information for parents regarding their role as teachers, providing experiences for children to learn, and encouraging children to think and respond. Activities are then suggested for teaching…

The purpose of this book is to provide parents with a variety of ideas for getting young children from infancy until the beginning reading stages involved with literature. An introductory section contains discussions of the literary needs of children and of how children develop a sense of literature, guidelines to use in determining literary…

A 3-year project focused on problems related to teaching reading in content areas in secondary schools. The project was sponsored by the United States Office of Education and supported 10 doctoral students in their doctoral studies, eight interns, a graduate assistant, and a research student. Six interrelated doctoral dissertations were completed…