In the author's experience, a significant source of reading difficulty for many beginning and struggling readers are misconceptions about print concepts so basic teachers assume their students are aware of them. Many children fail to grasp implicit principles of print such as the following: the reader cannot make up the words, the order of letters…

Discusses research methodology in general, and suggests ways of identifying what is and is not known in the field of reading. Points out that reading research has not yet investigated how adults and children read nonschool materials in nonschool settings. (ARH)

Describes efforts to promote the desire to read and the availability of materials for Nigerians who have already been introduced to reading. (FL)

Suggests that reading programs that attempt to teach reading before children have developed adequate problem solving skills may be responsible for producing children who learn not to read. (DD)

Discusses the concept of ownership of literacy and how ownership can be assessed. Suggests that teachers must give high priority to encouraging and assessing their students' ownership of literacy if they want them to be committed to literacy as a lifelong pursuit. (MG)

Presents a fictitious dialogue in which a teacher of a college methods course in reading points out to her students that (1) people read for different purposes, (2) reading needs vary from community to community, and (3) teachers should investigate the reading needs of people in their communities. (GT)

Examines the influence of parents on the development of their children's reading skills and habits and examines some specific aspects of the home environment that are closely related to reading. Concludes that parents have an important contribution to make, both to the development of reading skills and encouraging the leisure reading habit. (HOD)

Stresses the importance of reading aloud to children. Notes several keys to the success of reading aloud. Shares success stories from several reading aloud programs. Answers potential objections, from skeptical parents, to reading aloud. (MG)

Looks at the lives of two well-known writers to explore how diverse experiences produce literate adults. Discusses Agatha Christie and Jack London who used reading and writing to earn a living and to gain international reputations. (MG)