A new study from the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and the University of São Paulo in Brazil, published in the journal Cortex, demonstrates how learning to read fundamentally changes how the brain responds to spoken language, even in the absence of written words. In short, “learning to read reshapes how the brain processes language,” … Continue reading “Learning to Read Changes How the Brain Processes Language”

The science of reading emphasizes explicit instruction in five aspects of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. It also includes the concept of knowledge-building, developing the acquisition of knowledge that supports reading comprehension. Research indicates that students who have greater background knowledge usually understand texts more easily. Brain science suggests this may be because background … Continue reading “Beyond Knowledge-Building – Improving Literacy”

Children don’t become leaders overnight. Real leadership begins as early as childhood, in the quiet moments of play, curiosity, and responsibility. Parents who intentionally foster confidence, empathy, and accountability early on lay the groundwork for kids who don’t just follow the crowd — they help shape it. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll learn … Continue reading “Guest Blog: Raising Tomorrow’s Leaders: How Parents Can Nurture Leadership Skills from an Early Age”

It’s been well-established that students who can’t read by the third grade are more likely to struggle academically as they get older, drop out of high school, and have challenges in the workplace as adults. Difficulties with literacy only compound as students get older, but there are fewer supports to help them make up the deficit, including teachers who … Continue reading “What to Do When Older Students Struggle to Read”

Dr. David Bloch is an optometrist and reading specialist who has used AceReader to help struggling readers overcome their difficulties and become proficient at the task [see blog here]. Engaging in clinical research related to dyslexia, Dr. Bloch has determined that the root cause of the leading reading disorder isn’t what has been accepted until … Continue reading “Optometrist David Bloch and His Patented Dyslexia Training”

We’ve previously discussed how audiobooks can aid in the reading process, but a new study adds more depth to that topic. In the July 28 edition of the online magazine The Conversation, neurologists weighed in on the topic of reading vs listening in the article “Do You Really Need to Read to Learn: What Neuroscience … Continue reading “The Difference Between Reading and Listening”