Young learners need a quality program for developing reading skills which is both sequential and holistic--sequential because there is an appropriate order to some skills, holistic because skills need to be incorporated in context. Word recognition techniques are thus integrated with ideas gleaned from reading. The learner should use acquired subject matter to engage in critical and creative thinking, and not be taught comprehension skills in isolation. In a quality reading readiness program, a sequential and holistic approach can help the learner develop essential reading skills. (RS)