Examines similarities and differences in responses and experiences of two children's natural literacy development--the author's son, and the daughter of librarian Dorothy White, described in "Books before Five." Concludes that by reading aloud and discussing books with the children, parents created a strong foundation for beginning…

Analyzes the value of "time on the carpet" by examining how a class of first and second graders negotiate and construct meanings of letters from penpals (university preservice teacher candidates) during whole-class sharing time. Describes two functions of these meetings: sociocognitive re/construction and enculturation of textural norms…

Shows that teachers often severely underestimate the literacy abilities of Navajo children. Makes the case for creating school literacy environments that build on the literacy orientation children bring with them from home and that provide opportunities to experience literacy in a wide variety of functional and purposive contexts. (RS)