"Cradling Literacy" provides field-tested instructional materials for instructors to help early childhood teachers develop knowledge and skills in nurturing early language and literacy in young children from birth to 5 years. The research and strategies presented in the instructional manual center on how child, parent, and teacher can work together to support and nurture early language and literacy skills. Twelve training sessions are organized within four modules: A Framework for Early Language and Literacy, Understanding Early Language and Literacy in Young Children, Emergent Literacy Curriculum Building, and Social-Emotional Literacy. Training sessions are designed to be 2 hours long, and may be presented sequentially or independently. Each training session includes: lecture notes and classroom activities; PowerPoint[TM] slides (on CD-ROM); reflective preparation for the trainer; a "Trainer's Background Article"; a "Tips for Teachers" handout; and a "Head, Heart, Hand Journal Reflection" handout with reflective questions and space to write down what teachers will do as a result of the training session. Some sessions also include video vignettes on CD-ROM. Session topics include: (1) The Powerful Role of Stories in Supporting Early Language and Literacy; (2) Cultural Influences on Language and Literacy Teaching Practices; (3) The Importance of Relationships in Early Language and Literacy Learning; (4) Early Language and Literacy Development; (5) Emergent Literacy in Two Languages; (6) Families as Partners in Supporting Early Language and Literacy; (7) The Role of Meaningful Experiences in Supporting Early Language and Literacy; (8) The Link Between Observation, Assessment, and Language and Literacy Curriculum; (9) Strategies for Supporting Early Language and Literacy; (10) Environments that Nurture Early Language and Literacy; (11) Using Language and Literacy in Guiding Children's Behavior; and (12) Effective Teaching Strategies for Supporting Social-Emotional Literacy. The curriculum package also includes an overview of early language and literacy research, guidance on instructional practices when providing training to early childhood educators, and a comprehensive chart summarizing the skills young children need to acquire early literacy, plus relationship-based strategies for nurturing those skills. A Resources section includes recommended children's books to support each of the sessions and a literacy bibliography for trainers and teachers. A Technical Report describes the curriculum's origins and child outcomes in ZERO TO THREE's 2003-2005 "Literacy, Learning and Life" project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide professional development to 95 early childhood educators in Alexandria, Virginia. [Materials include: 668 loose-leaf binder pages, plus Microsoft PowerPoint[TM] slides and video vignettes on CD-ROM.]