This book describes effective, engaging ways to build young children's print concepts and alphabetic knowledge, which are crucial for both reading and writing development. Presenting shared reading, shared writing, and targeted instructional activities, each chapter features helpful classroom vignettes, a section debunking myths about preschool literacy, and Ideas for Discussion, Reflection, and Action. Strategies are provided for creating print-rich classroom and home environments and differentiating instruction for diverse students, including English language learners. The book also discusses how to assess preschoolers' reading and writing progress.

Where reading and writing begin -- Preschool contexts for literacy development and learning -- Connecting oral language to print knowledge -- Developing print and alphabetic knowledge for reading -- Developing alphabetic knowledge for writing -- Assessing print knowledge for reading in preschool -- Assessing writing development in preschool.