This book emphasizes an integrated language arts approach to teaching young children literacy, focusing on balanced, constructivist, and direct instruction. Literacy Development in the Early Years presents a theoretical and research-based rationale for its contents, as well as practical applications based on that theory. It embraces integrated language arts and an interdisciplinary approach to literacy development as it addresses developing writing, reading, and oral language in the home and school curriculum. The use of children's literature is emphasized as the most important instructional materials and the joy of early literacy experiences is stressed to ensure lifelong reading habits. Literacy development is viewed as an active process between children and adults to create meaning and real purpose.