Recent research confirms that children learn to read best by using a balanced literacy program incorporating a combination of explicit phonics, whole language, and good literature. Long before children are able to engage in reading themselves, they must feel that reading is something they want to do. Comfortable and early familiarity with letters is critical for learning to read. Essential to children's growing desire to read is the appeal of being able to decode the exact sounds and words of texts even in the midst of a curriculum that stresses approximation and large meanings of narratives. Before children are taught specific skills and strategies for reading, they need to learn the first strategy of all--read to make sense of texts. Self-selection of reading materials can support children's literacy development. Students develop reading strategies and skills in the context of reading and writing text. In this process, they become literate individuals who not only can read, but who want to. (Contains five references.) (RS)