The purpose of a 1992 course on emergent literacy in early childhood education was to formulate a shared definition of literacy; create awareness of the developmental process involved; test previous assumptions, methods, and techniques in the light of new knowledge; and develop pedagogic approaches and curricula relevant to the existing conditions in the course participants' communities. Following an introduction, this publication contains the major lectures delivered during the course: (1) "Introduction to Literacy" (Rina Michalowitz); (2) "Acquisition of Language and Literacy" (Dorit Ravid); (3) "Sensory-Motor Integration as a Precursor of Literacy Skills" (Luba Zuk); (4) "The Developmental Bases for School Adjustment" (Galia Rabinovitz); (5) "Language, Reading and Reading Programs" (Miriam Gillis-Carlebach); (6) "Emergent Literacy--From Theory to Practice" (Ilana Zeiler); (7) "Emergent Literacy: Children's Ways of Writing in Preschool Years" (Ana Sandbank); (8) "Literacy Acquisition in a Diglossia Situation" (Jihad Iraki); (9) "Literacy, Development and Bilingual Education" (Hanna Ezer); (10) "Bilingualism and Biliteracy" (Elite Olshtain); and (11) "Promoting Flexibility in Young Children's Minds within the Family--A Cross Cultural View" (Pnina Klein). References are included with all but the first lecture, and a list of course participants is appended. (TJQ)