This book considers Russell Stauffer's Language Experience Approach (LEA) in detail. An approach must be judged by its impact on student learning and not on the age of conception. Here, we explore the nature of wholistic teaching in early childhood and beyond. The developmental maturation is explained for each different language task.

Theme One: Child Development and Wholistic Teaching

The first theme of shared information is child development and wholistic instruction. Both language arts instruction with researched language arts materials and with LEA, as either ancillary or solo instruction, have a place in the language arts curriculum. LEA is presented as a wholistic program of teaching beginning reading which includes all of the prime tenets of being geared to the development of the whole child in the literary tasks. When it is used as the main method of beginning reading instruction, it is more than adequate to offer everything necessary for success. If used as an ancillary program for beginning reading, it covers all the necessary items that enable the child to develop in a wholistic manner in the literary tasks. When used in the upper grades, it has the potential to aid student development in a myriad of ways needed for mature readers. Teaching literacy skills is a well-researched topic. There have been years of research on how to teach them, what to teach, and when to introduce them. In addition, many different techniques and strategies are available to teachers. Many research journal articles describe what works for different students. Assessment is also a wellstudied topic. Tests for different skills and students have been developed, offering grade levels, age levels, and standardized scoring. All of this attests to the scientific legwork that has been accomplished over the years that provides the field of education a strong background for enhancing developmental skills needed for beginning literacy tasks, choosing the correct methodology, and appropriately assessing progress.

Theme Two: Using LEA as a Stand-alone Approach or an Integrated Approach

Stauffer's conceptualization of LEA emphasizes early reading instruction, though he also has a protocol for struggling readers. One of the most essential points of LEA is that it enhances the ability for instruction to take place in a relaxed and natural setting whereby the students use what they know as a foundation for instruction.