This issue focuses on the developmental path that children typically take when learning to read. The purpose is to help parents take steps to ensure that their children will make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn by the end of third grade. An introductory section includes two articles: "Parents, Children, and Reading" (Carol Boston) and "Some Commonly Used Terms Related to Reading" (Susan B. Neuman, Carol Copple, and Sue Bredekamp). Articles in Section 1, "Reading in the Early Years: Infancy through Kindergarten," include: "Raising Readers: The Tremendous Potential of Families" (U.S. Department of Education); "Building Literacy Skills through Early Care and Education" (U.S. Department of Education); and "Language and Literacy Environments in Preschools" (Catherine E. Snow, M. Susan Burns, and Peg Griffin). Articles in Section 2, "Reading in the Elementary School Years: First through Third Grade," include "Helping Your Child Decode Words and Gain Meanings" (Carl B. Smith) and "Using Phonics To Help Your Child Identify Words" (Carl B. Smith). Articles in Section 3, "Reading Benchmarks," include: "What Should My Child Be Learning at Each Level?" (National Research Council); "What Makes Children Underachievers in Reading?" (Beth Greene); "Helping the Underachiever in Reading" (Diana J. Quatroche); and "Monitoring Your Child's Progress" (U.S. Department of Education). Articles in Section 4: "Identifying and Supporting High-Quality Reading Programs," include: "National Reading Panel Reports That a Combination of Methods Is the Most Effective Way To Teach Reading" (National Institutes of Health); "Balanced Reading Instruction" (Mila Stoicheva); "What Should I Look for in My Child's Reading Program?" (U.S. Department of Education); "A Look at Success for All" (Linda Schartman); and "Compacts for Reading" (Carol Boston). Articles in Section 5: "Initiatives and Resources," include: "Federal Reading Programs and Initiatives" (Linda Schartman); "Reading Resource Organizations" (Linda Schartman and Ann Potter); "Internet Resources" (Mei-Yu Lu); and "Searching the ERIC Database on Reading Topics" (Steve Stroup). The concluding section contains "Putting It All Together: Helping Your Child Grow as a Reader" (Carol Boston). (Includes an ERIC directory.) (MES)