This article was adapted from the chapter "Culture and Parental Expectations for Child Development: Concerns for Language Development and Early Learning" in "Learning to Read the World: Language and Literacy in the First Three Years" (see ED493629), published by "ZERO TO THREE." The authors describe how cultural expectations for children's learning have an impact on language development and how effective early care and education programs honor cultural beliefs, practices, preferences, and traditions as they nurture the individual abilities and learning needs of each child.