This paper examines early childhood development, family, health, and literacy. It places particular emphasis on the need to consider the interrelationships of these factors when attempting to use literacy to improve the quality of life of individuals in developing countries. The paper begins with a discussion of learning capacity and a conceptual model of the interrelationships between the factors. It then moves to an overview of the main issues involved in early childhood development and literacy, considering industrialized and developing country approaches to the issues of school readiness, school quality, and early childhood development programs. The next section comprises a discussion of women and literacy in general, including the state of the women's literacy movement and suggestions for future development. Next is a discussion of family issues and literacy that examines the U.S. family literacy movement, family approaches to literacy in developing countries, and how family approaches may affect women. The following section is a treatment of the issue of literacy and health. The paper concludes with a discussion of the need to combine literacy programs and social life. Appendixes contain a 41-item annotated bibliography and 59 references. (YLB)