An interview with David Olson concerning his current research on the relation between the oral conversational language of preschool children and the formalized language of written texts. (RAE)

Emphasizes the importance of a child's home life in developing positive attitudes toward reading, presents 6 suggestions educators might use to foster the school/home partnership in reading development, and offers 21 suggestions for assistance and advice that educators can give to parents about their role in reading development. (FL)

Reports on naturalistic research studies revealing that children begin to learn to read and write long before they go to school. (JL)

Considers how children's vocabulary develops in reading contexts. Focuses on the role of independent reading as one of the major factors influencing vocabulary growth. (AEW)

Examines the purposes children believe illustrations serve in story books. Indicates, based on comments of 26 first graders who read a book and commented on the illustrations, that (1) advanced readers saw illustrations as distinct from text, (2) median readers saw a close relationship between pictures and text, and (3) beginning readers…

Describes a language program for first-grade students incorporating the following strands: writing, poetry, reading, group cloze activities, the Scott Foresman Reading Scheme, recreational reading, handwriting, phonics, and language games. (MM)

Presents results of a study indicating that what young readers say when they first read is influenced by their previous experiences with books, the structure of the text, and also the accompanying illustrations. Points out implications for reading to young children, and for choosing early texts. (SKC)

Documents how a preschool child learns to read. Identifies what teachers need to know if they are to continue the reader's own discoveries and delight in language. (EL)