This book provides instructors with a synthesis of the information on language arts gleaned from research on emergent literacy, early childhood education, and special education. It underscores what is being emphasized in early childhood teacher accreditation programs, namely, responding to the increasingly diverse needs of young language learners in inclusive settings, working with parents and families, and collaborating with professionals in other fields. Each chapter provides a discussion of the key concepts in the chapter, followed by case material that demonstrates how teachers, families, and professionals in other fields can work together to promote the literacy growth and development of a young child. The content and examples throughout every chapter enable students to see how children go through the process of acquiring literacy, and how literacy learning occurs with diverse groups of learners. The body of every chapter concludes with a section on teacher concerns and basic strategies, developmentally appropriate activities, teacher self-assessment, and information on standards as they relate to the content of each chapter.