Children need sound language and literacy skills to communicate with others and actively participate in a classroom learning community. When an early childhood classroom offers a language- and literacy-rich environment, children have numerous opportunities to practice language and literacy in a social setting. A language-rich classroom includes an inquiry-based environment and curriculum in which children are frequently exposed to and interact with high-quality literacy materials and activities that support their passions and learning. Effective early childhood settings are led by highly responsive teachers who encourage children to contribute to discussions and share ideas with each other. In this article, the authors discuss how they supported literacy and social development in their preschool during a yearlong study involving a stuffed elephant.