Success in school and life are more dependent than ever before on literacy skills. Within the context of California's Proposition 10, the "Children and Families First Act," this report provides practical, and to the extent possible, evidence-based guidelines for considering strategies to promote children's development relevant to emergent literacy from birth to age 5. Following an introduction, the report summarizes the findings and recommendations of the Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children (Burns, Snow & Griffin, 1999) that address known developmental and experiential precursors to literacy and recognized risk factors for illiteracy. The report next discusses examples of systems and programs that may serve as models for promoting early literacy. Sociocultural factors influencing literacy development are also examined. The report then presents recommendations for best practices and policy in literacy and, relevant to Proposition 10 commissions, for developing services to enhance literacy programs. The report's appendix lists useful organizations and contacts. (Contains 88 references.) (HTH)