The capability of the very young child to learn selected reading skills and the effectiveness of the television medium to present such skills were investigated. Television as the facilitator of such an instructional program was viewed as appropriate because of its ability to reach so many children, especially the disadvantaged. Ninety children who had passed their second birthday but who had not yet reached the third month past their fifth birthday were randomly selected from a group who had responded to an invitation to be on a children's television show. The children were given the Peabody Picture Vocabulary test and were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group was given systematic reading instruction via 12 weekly closed circuit television sessions lasting from 15 to 20 minutes once a week. Post-testing showed that the children could be effectively taught selected reading skills. References are included. (NH)