The author explains that there does not exist one single method of teaching reading since there are different teaching styles and preferences of individual teachers; varied backgrounds, experiences, and abilities among children; and different school administration considerations. Five approaches for teaching reading are described. (1) The developmental guided basal approach uses a systematized series of basal books, workbooks, tests, and reading aids. Different basal series may stress different methods: sight word method, intensive phonics program, balanced phonics, or the linguistics approach. (2) The highly individualized language experience approach emphasizes the child's own language and experience while reading is taught as one part of the total communication process. (3) Individualized reading programs encourage children to read widely according to their own interests and levels. (4) Independent learning activities expose children to programed instruction, often mechanized, to learn reading independently at their own pace, and (5) The initial teaching alphabet provides 44 symbols to represent English sounds. It is recommended that parents understand the reading programs in their child's school so that they can cooperate with the teachers to achieve the goal of competent readers. This brochure is one of a series commissioned by the National Reading Center to help inform all citizens about reading issues and to promote functional literacy. (AW)