As a reference for future teachers and for those already working in the field of early childhood education, this book presents information about young children's language development, emphasizing language as the primary basis for reading acquisition. In the first section of the book, language growth during preschool years is explored, with chapters concerning motivation for language acquisition, how language grows, its development across social and cultural groups, its implications for early childhood education, and language instruction for young children. The second chapter is devoted to reading, with chapters focusing on the relationship between language and the reading process, preparation for reading, beginning reading, and instructional procedures for beginning reading. All chapters include references, and an index concludes the book. (JM)