Noting that children's experiences at home during the preschool years set the stage for reading success, this guide provides the initiative, principles, and activities for reading to children from early months to 7 years to improve their literacy acquisition. The nine chapters are as follows: (1) "Reading: An Overview of the Discovery Process"; (2) "Experience and Comprehension: Sensory Exploration, Concept Building, Critical Thinking"; (3) "Language: Communicating Ideas through Speech"; (4) "Valuing Reading: I Love To Read!" on modeling reading and reading aloud; (5) "Reading Special Words and Language: Using Your Child's Own Words for Learning"; (6) "Writing: Communicating Ideas through Print"; (7) "Creating Books: I Am an Author"; (8) "Reading 'Real' Books: I Can Read All by Myself"; and (9) "The Treasury for Literacy Independence: Resources that Help Beginners Become Capable and Enthusiastic Users of Print." Two appendices suggest methods that transform any classroom or play area into a literacy-rich environment for better early childhood education programs, and present activity materials that allow children to touch and arrange letters, words, and pictures. (AP)