The document discusses theories of early literacy development and concepts of emergent literacy. It presents theories from Teale, Clay, and Sulzby that view early literacy as developing from a child's own initiative to read and write, through stages of growth, and developing knowledge. Early literacy development is influenced by the child's environment, including home, school, literacy environment, and acquired skills. Concepts of emergent literacy have shifted from assuming literacy begins in grade 1, to recognizing acquisition begins at birth and continues through early childhood through simultaneous development of language abilities and experiences with reading and writing.