Based on the view that parents are their children's first teachers, this trainer's guide presents a series of 10 workshops or "literacy learning parties" designed to assist parents and other family caregivers in helping their preschool children develop the skills needed to learn to read and write. The workshops are small, structured, community-based gatherings to be hosted in homes, schools, churches, and activity centers. The guide's introductory section offers tips for planning for the training related to time and scheduling, adult learning, English as a second language, a welcoming atmosphere, the trainer's role, child development, developmentally appropriate activities, common characteristics of 3- to 5-year-olds, and emergent literacy. The remainder of the trainer's guide is organized into 10 sections, each corresponding to one literacy learning party covering the following topics: (1) promoting children's language development (2 workshops); (2) literacy through play (2 workshops); (3) sharing books; (4) choosing and sharing books, rhymes, and chants; (5) engaging children in writing (2 workshops); (6) early reading strategies--learning the alphabet letters and sounds; and (7) ways to help children read. In each workshop discussion, the following components are included: warm-up activity, content presentation, learning activity, group socialization, and home connection. In addition, the guide contains handouts and photographs that can be used to support training during individual workshops. (Contains 13 references.) (KB)