Combining developmentally appropriate early childhood practice with current views of emergent literacy and whole language instruction, this book is designed to help pre-service and in-service teachers incorporate new views of literacy into their classrooms. The book includes extensive examples from actual classrooms to assist readers in understanding the teaching ideas presented. It is also designed to help the teacher of young children understand and validate the importance of play in the child's literacy development and to take into account how children construct knowledge. Chapters in the book are: (1) Understanding Emergent Readers and Writers; (2) Encouraging Emergent Literacy through Play and Experiences; (3) Encouraging Emergent Literacy through Oral Language and Story Time; (4) Assisting Emergent Readers; (5) Assisting Emergent Writers; (6) Supporting Independent Writers; (7) Creating a Classroom for Readers; (8) Assessing Growth in Literacy; (9) Selecting Early Literacy Materials; and (10) Constructing Your Understanding. Contains approximately 500 references. (RS)