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The reading process and the writing process are closely related. Often, children begin writing long before they can read. In fact, their own writing may be the first thing they do read. Young children who have been read to from lots of books full of stories, poems, and information are best prepared for writing and reading. Books are important vocabulary builders as well as frameworks for the children’s writing.
About the Picture The picture shows children reading a book in anticipation of actually visiting the zoo. The zoo animals shown are a hippo, an antelope (kudu), a turtle, a snake, a monkey, a zebra, an elephant, a giraffe, a toucan, an alligator, and a lion.
- Exposing children to many kinds of books and other kinds of print helps prepare them for learning the reading and writing processes.
- Many strategies for reading and writing words can be taught while reading books aloud.
- Illustrations in picture books and in children’s writing carry some of the author’s meaning.

The reading process and the writing process are closely related. Often, children begin writing long before they can read. In fact, their own writing may be the first thing they do read. Young children who have been read to from lots of books full of stories, poems, and information are best prepared for writing and reading. Books are important vocabulary builders as well as frameworks for the children’s writing.
About the Picture The picture shows children reading a book in anticipation of actually visiting the zoo. The zoo animals shown are a hippo, an antelope (kudu), a turtle, a snake, a monkey, a zebra, an elephant, a giraffe, a toucan, an alligator, and a lion.
- Exposing children to many kinds of books and other kinds of print helps prepare them for learning the reading and writing processes.
- Many strategies for reading and writing words can be taught while reading books aloud.
- Illustrations in picture books and in children’s writing carry some of the author’s meaning.