This document is comprised of five publications of the early childhood section of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: (1) prekindergarten literacy standards; (2) a teacher's guide to prekindergarten literacy standards; (3) a parent handbook regarding early literacy; (4) a Spanish-language version of the parent handbook; and (5) a Bosnian-language [Serbo-Croatian] version of the parent handbook. The standards, developed by a broad-based group of individuals representing the multi-faceted Missouri early childhood community, provide descriptions of what most children should know and be able to do by kindergarten entry and represent shared expectations for preschoolers in early literacy. The standards publication delineates the Missouri prekindergarten guiding principles and presents process standards, indicators of competency development, and examples of behaviors children may exhibit in the following areas: (1) symbolic development; (2) spoken/expressive language; (3) listening/receptive language; (4) written language; (5) knowledge of print and books; and (6) phonological awareness. The teacher's guide provides an explanation of the standards and offers practical suggestions for creating engaging, developmentally appropriate learning communities in which each child's literacy development is fostered. Also included in the guide are suggestions for involving families and a 42-item resource list of books, websites, magazines, newsletters, and brochures. The parent handbook introduces the standards, provides information on how a child may exhibit progress toward a particular standard or goal, and offers suggestions for parental support of children's literacy development. The handbook closes with lists of reading tips, literacy websites, suggested books for children, and additional resources for parents. (KB)