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…

Argues that concepts of literacy develop gradually and that in a natural language environment, saturated with good stories, meaningful conversation, and abundant writing materials, the process can begin even before a child goes to school. (FL)

This study investigated kindergartners' awareness of how they learned to read at home and at school. Children (n=56) from schools using different methods were asked to tap their awareness about learning to read. Parent questionnaires assessed home support. Results indicated that students could describe how they were learning to read at home and at…

The infant-toddler years are incredibly important in producing a nation of readers. Every family can, in culturally appropriate ways, help infants and toddlers learn to read the world. Every caregiver can, in culturally appropriate ways, help infants and toddlers grow in language and literacy. The authors argue that early childhood programs must…

A learning situation in which the principal content of what is to be learned is not given but is independently discovered by the learner is often considered "discovery learning." Recently, learning scientists have been able to make explicit some of the conditions under which such independent discovery is likely to occur (Andronis, 1983; Epstein,…

The aim of this study was to determine whether the "Frequency with which parents read to their children, Preschool Exposure" and the initial "Age" that students "who are economically at-risk" were first exposed to significant literacy activities at home or in a preschool setting affected their reading grades.…

Intended for parents, as well as school administrators, policymakers, and teachers, this digest discusses resources available for developing children's early literacy. The digest first discusses research indicating the role of parents in early reading experience, then discusses, in general terms, sources for literacy materials for parents,…

A study examined the extent to which third and fourth grade classroom teachers utilized commonly recommended practices for the use of children's literature. A 39 item questionnaire was constructed and then mailed to 600 third and fourth grade classroom teachers in eight urban and suburban public school districts in Southern California and…

A 15-item questionnaire, completed by 93 superintendents of Connecticut schools, focused on the identification, program design, instructional strategies, and support provided for early readers, their teachers, and their parents. Responses to each item are summarized statistically, and the general patterns that emerge in each of these areas are…

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…

The 40 articles in this collection deal with issues and problems in the learning and teaching of reading and offer suggestions for future policy concerning reading. The articles cover the entire reading field, including the relationships among language, intelligence, and reading; early reading schemes; extending reading; reading difficulties,…

TEN PROGRAMS REVIEWED IN THIS PAPER ILLUSTRATE WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED RETARDED READERS. THE MONTESSORI APPROACH EMPHASIZES INTRINSIC MOTIVATION AND USES SENSE-STIMULATING MATERIALS AND DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES FOR PERCEPTUAL AND COGNITIVE GROWTH. THE BANNEKER PROGRAM ENRICHES ITS INTENSIVE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM WITH EXPERIENCES…

ARGUMENTS AGAINST FORMALIZED READING INSTRUCTION IN THE KINDERGARTEN WERE PRESENTED. AFTER PRELIMINARY COMMENTS CONCERNING THE PURPOSE AND PLAN OF THE CONFERENCE, THE NEW JERSEY STATE BOARD STANDARDS FOR KINDERGARTENS WERE DISCUSSED IN LIGHT OF THEIR CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHMENT AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION. THE CASE AGAINST MAKING READING INSTRUCTION A…

This paper discusses some of the larger trends in present day American society and education, indicates how these trends are affecting reading, and points out some possible directions for future development. The trends discussed include "Sex Equality," which discusses sexism in basal tests, male teachers of reading, and the greater number of boys…

Collected together in this volume are the background papers for the National Advisory Committee on Dyslexia and Related Reading Disorders. Papers include "The Nature of the Reading Process"; "Bases of Classification of Reading Disorders"; "Sex Differences in Reading Disability"; "Dyslexia: Neurological and Genetic Etiology"; "Dyslexia and Its…