Relates the belief that "shared reading" using big books will provide children with a meaningful introductin to reading. (DF)

This paper suggests that by emphasizing word identification skills and oral reading and by using limited reading materials, teachers have neglected reading for meaning. Following a review of current instructional practices, the paper explains how understanding writing depends on the world experience, language knowledge, and processing strategies…

Lists 27 suggestions for improving reading, including asking for educated guesses at unknown words and reading with children while holding the book so that children can see the words. (DF)

Reading to young children offers them many benefits including a sense of security which comes from physical closeness to an adult. In addition, the child perceives the format of print, begins to assimilate the basics of story construction, develops a prior knowledge base which is an essential ingredient of comprehension, and receives the message…