Early literacy development is the gateway to reading and future academic success. Learning about sound-letter correspondence and basic decoding strategies are but two fundamental skills that have been found to support this later success. In addition, an emphasis on environmental print (e.g., McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Shell) and functional print (e.g., men/women bathroom designations, lunch menu, labels on classroom materials) assists children in recognizing uses of print and encourages literacy in familiar environments. Repeated book reading and shared book experiences including reading, writing, and arts-related activities (e.g., music and movement, painting) are also avenues for young children to acquire print and literacy skills. Yet some young children require more intensive approaches to facilitate their literacy development. These approaches are often reflective of a direct approach to instruction with prepared materials, massed opportunities for practice, and specific feedback strategies. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the skills included in effective early literacy development activities, an example of an empirically validated early literacy intervention program, and several options for supporting families' involvement in literacy development efforts for all young children. This information is intended to assist practitioners working with preschoolers and primary children with and without disabilities as well as family members and other caregivers. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)