This is the second in a series of briefs published by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) on how social and emotional learning (SEL) is integral to the teaching and learning of literacy practices. In this brief, the authors discuss how to support the development of elementary-aged children's ability to read competently. The authors explain the crucial role that SEL plays in supporting the literacy development of children in the early childhood and elementary years (grades PreK through 5). They provide an overview of how children in this age group learn to read, and of all the skills and processes that the contextualized behavior of reading encompasses. Further, the authors explain the background and history of SEL, including its benefits for children's general and academic development and specifically their literacy development. In closing, policy recommendations to strengthen literacy development and instruction at the district and state levels are outlined.