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Children's experiences in preschool and kindergarten influence their future literacy learning. Although emergent literacy has traditionally been supported by play-based experiences, there has been a decline in play opportunities in recent years. Media publications citing the science of reading have called for more focus on systematic, direct instruction of skills in phonics and phonemic awareness. However, from the perspective of the simple view of reading, the process of learning to read involves developing both decoding and linguistic comprehension skills. In this article, we review the research that has linked play experiences to three areas: (1) the development of language skills necessary for linguistic comprehension, including vocabulary, decontextualized language, and oral narrative competence; (2) opportunities for functional literacy behaviors, including emergent reading and writing behaviors; and (3) skills related to decoding, including print awareness, phonological awareness, word recognition, and reading fluency. The research also has demonstrated the value of adult guidance during play experiences in optimizing literacy learning. This review of the literature linking play and literacy in early childhood expands the scope of the science of reading to include a wider range of skills that support reading development.

The purpose of this article is to describe how an elementary art specialist scaffolded learning of specific academic vocabulary during a unit on how to create hollow clay ceramic sculptures. Although much has been written recently on how elementary teachers might better teach academic vocabulary in reading and language arts contexts as well as in social studies, math, and science, addressing methods to teach academic vocabulary in the arts has been virtually ignored (Beck, McKeown, & Kucan, 2002; Blachowicz, Fisher, Ogle, & Watts-Taffe, 2013). The article discusses (a) research, theory, and policy issues that support this initiative; (b) details of the sculpture-related vocabulary and reading activities enacted in 14 art periods with third-grade children; and (c) extensions and elaborations of this approach for other elementary educational contexts.

The purpose of the study was to examine short- and long-term effects of two instructional approaches designed to improve the reading fluency of second-grade children: Fluency-Oriented Reading Instruction (or FORI; Stahl & Heubach, 2005) and a wide reading approach (Kuhn et al., 2006). By the end of second grade, children in the wide reading classrooms showed better fluency and self-concept compared to children in control classrooms. Classroom observations indicated children in FORI classrooms were more likely to be off-task than controls. However, by the end of third grade, children in both programs displayed better comprehension. We conclude that extensive and long-term focus on the oral reading of complex texts using practices that scaffold reading in second grade is beneficial for the long-term development of reading comprehension skills. (Contains 5 tables.)

As part of a larger study on developing children's reading fluency in the classroom, a program was introduced to help parents understand the importance of fluency and participate in fluency-related activities with children at home. The Family Fluency Program included activities similar to those that the children were doing in school, with some support for the initial reading of selections and then repeated reading of stories using echo reading, choral reading, and partner reading. The family program showed promise for enhancing the school program when parents implemented the activities at home. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)

In this year's Distinguished Educator department, we feature six educators whose research has focused on the role of early literacy in early childhood education. Each of the six addresses a vitally important aspect of early childhood literacy teaching and learning. Sections include: "Working with Families as Partners in Early Literacy," by Dorothy S. Strickland; "Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Literacy Instruction," by Lesley Mandel Morrow; "The Effect of Print-Rich Classroom Environments on Early Literacy Growth," by Susan B. Neuman; "Early Literacy Assessment-Thoughtful, Sensible, and Good," by Kathleen Roskos; "A Framework and Suggested Guidelines for Prekindergarten Content Standards," by Judith A. Schickendanz; "In Search of Highly Qualified Early Childhood Classroom Literacy Teachers," by Carol Vukelich.

Describes a project designed to enhance the technological ability of university students enrolled in an early literacy course. Models the use of technology as a tool for literacy instruction in hopes that these teachers and future teachers would become more familiar with technology and use it when teaching their early childhood students to read. Finds students increased their knowledge of different types of technology and how they are operated. (SG)

Argues that national intervention endeavors should contain evaluation requirements that are sufficiently flexible to allow a range of rigorous evaluation designs. Uses the recent America Reads Challenge and research and evaluation efforts conducted independently at three university sites to illustrate the possibilities and pitfalls in engaging in such endeavors. Points to an envisionment of much needed policy change, specifying potential guidelines that would help shape educational program evaluations. (RS)

Describes research conducted in New Jersey as part of a five-state research project investigating exemplary first-grade literacy instruction. Observes six teachers' exemplary practices. Discusses interview data, physical environment in the classrooms, types of reading and writing experiences, how skills were taught, taking advantage of teachable moments, content area connections with literacy, classroom management, and one exemplary day. (SR)

Home and school literacy contexts were connected in a study that involved parents of 28 inner-city primary school children in developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive literacy activities. Pretest and posttest data determined achievement and motivation differences favoring children in the family program over the 28 comparisons not participating in the literacy program. (SLD)

Finds that the high percentage of spontaneous, contextual activities used to teach phonic relationships in preschool classrooms dropped off dramatically when children entered kindergarten and the primary grades, where instructional experiences were mostly explicit. Shows that a combined approach to teaching phonics was observed only infrequently. (SR)

Investigates the impact of a literature-based program on children from minority backgrounds. Finds that children in the treatment group did better on all literacy measures except for the standardized test, where no differences were found. Finds no differences between the performance of children in the school-based program and the home- and school-based program. (RS)

Evaluates the effects that environmental changes in early childhood activity centers and patterns of teacher guidance have on children's literacy behavior. Finds that the children are likely to engage in voluntary literacy behaviors during free play when literacy materials are introduced and teachers guide children to use those materials. (MG)

Examined 13 preschool classes to determine whether the voluntary literacy behavior of children could be increased by means of teacher-guided introduction of reading and writing materials into dramatic play areas. Thematic play with teacher guidance and literacy materials yielded significantly increased literacy behavior. (SH)

Investigates whether frequent small group readings in school increases comprehension scores and the number and complexity of comments and questions from children of low socioeconomic status. Finds that story reading in small groups increases comprehension and the number and complexity of questions and comments. (RS)

Examines children's comprehension of stories and their verbal interactions during storybook readings in groups of various sizes. Finds that reading to children in small groups results in as much interaction as one-to-one readings and leads to greater comprehension than whole-class or even one-to-one readings. (KEH)

Contrasts the effects of a storybook reading approach to traditional reading readiness approaches on the literacy development of urban at-risk kindergarten children. Finds that the storybook reading groups scored significantly higher on a variety of literacy measures. Finds no significant differences between the groups on standardized measures of reading readiness. (SR)

Compares attitudes of elementary school principals, teachers, and parents toward promoting voluntary reading with their attitudes toward instruction in comprehension, word recognition skills, and study skills and concludes that promotion of voluntary reading is considered lowest in priority by all groups. (DF)

Shows that students' voluntary reading could be increased through programs heavy in literary activities, supported by well-designed classroom library corners. Also indicates that teachers' attitudes changed as a result of their participation in the study. (FL)

Discusses factors that foster the development of young voluntary readers. Reviews studies that describe home and school characteristics that encourage voluntary reading and stresses the importance of providing young students with a rich literary environment in the classroom. (FL)

Shows how retelling stories appears to be a strategy to improve comprehension, concept of story and oral language. (EL)

Shows how regularly scheduled activities with books and well designed library corners can increase children's interest in reading, using a study of four summer recreational daycare centers to illustrate. (JC)

Analyzes six basal reader sets for K-3 for inclusion of 14 activities. Finds that: nine activities appear in less than one percent of stories and five appear in five percent or more, publishers use latter five differently, use between grades does not differ, and four of five activities appear more in supplements than in the main portion of lessons. (SKC)

A study assessed and compared the syntax in the oral language of six-, seven-, and eight-year-olds with the syntax in the written language of reading instruction textbooks prepared for children of the same age. (HOD)

Investigates whether frequent story retellings with structural guidance can improve kindergarten children's use of structural elements and increase the oral language complexity in dictating original stories. Finds support for retelling as an instructional strategy. (RS)

Discusses flannel board stories, prop stories, puppet stories, chalk talks, storytelling through photographs, sound stories, music stories, "cut" stories, and Origami stories. (DD)

Describes the step-by-step development of manipulative learning materials--materials with explicit instructions and some type of built-in reinforcement so that students can know if their answers are correct--for use in the content areas. (HTH)

Reveals that only three structures--confrontation, episodic, and plotless--accounted for 87 percent of the story selections in six basal reader series. (FL)

A study of young children's use of literature during free play, of the physical design of library corners, and of teacher's literature activities found positive correlations among these elements. Observations of nursery school classrooms revealed that many lacked inviting library corners and that many teachers did not sufficiently encourage reading. (PP)

A measure was developed to assess kindergarten children's interest in reading, and information about their home and school environments was collected. High-reading-interest children were read to more frequently, watched less television, and had more books at home. School factors are also discussed. (Author/PP)