Based on the concept that readiness for reading is brought about by the nurturing of a child's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth, this guidebook presents reading readiness guidelines and carefully planned workshop activities designed to provide a classroom climate conducive to discovery and language development. The first section presents guidelines that define children's abilities at various stages of reading readiness and details activities that, given these abilities, children can effectively engage in. The following areas of development provide the framework under which specific abilities and corresponding activities are categorized: visual perception, visual memory/recall, auditory discrimination/auditory acuity, language development, and body movement/body awareness/body image. The second section presents specific classroom activities that involve learning through (1) visual perception, (2) auditory acuity, (3) visual memory, (4) sequencing, (5) improved motor skills, (6) growth in communication skills, (7) increased appreciation and interpretation of good literature, and (8) advanced creative play that strengthens a child's self-image. An "individual record for readiness period" sheet for assessing a child's progress is included, along with resource material for choral effort, finger plays, listening, and dramatization. Resources for children's reading enjoyment and additional resources for readiness are appended. (JD)