The History of Writing and Reading – Part 15: Printing and the Spread of Writing (Part 2 of 3)

[Editor’s note: This is the sixteenth of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. It is also the second of a three-part discussion of the rise of printing and its effect on various civilizations. Links to all the previous posts are listed at the end … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 15: Printing and the Spread of Writing (Part 2 of 3)”


The History of Writing and Reading – Part 8: Mayan Writing

[Editor’s note: This is the ninth of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. We will be looking at the major developments and forces that shaped the written languages we use today. Links to all the previous posts are listed at the end of this … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 8: Mayan Writing”


The History of Writing and Reading – Part 3A: The Rise of Indo-European Languages (Part 1 of 2)

[Editor’s note: This is the third of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. We will be looking at the major developments and forces that shaped the written languages we use today. Links to the previous posts are listed at the end of this one.] … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 3A: The Rise of Indo-European Languages (Part 1 of 2)”


Joumana Kalouch – Multilingual Teacher, Writer, and Avid Reader

[Editor’s note: This interview was conducted by Miriam Ruff, and it is the third installment in what will be a series of interviews about the different approaches people take to discover and learn new topics. It was lightly edited for clarity.] MR: We’re talking today with Joumana Kalouch, a multilingual teacher and avid reader, whom … Continue reading “Joumana Kalouch – Multilingual Teacher, Writer, and Avid Reader”


Mindfulness and Reading

Mindfulness is a state of being where you are present only in the moment, no matter what you’re doing. It’s similar to meditation in that you notice and focus on your breathing, but it also encompasses much more. If you’re on a walk, you might take notice of the sound your feet make on the … Continue reading “Mindfulness and Reading”


Giving Life to Words

In our technological Information Age, we spend our time “speaking” primarily by text, email, eBooks, or online forums. Gone seem the days of deep, personal conversations; cursive, handwritten letters; and real-paper, printed books. We defend our choices with their efficient outcomes, but few of us stop to consider what we might be losing in the … Continue reading “Giving Life to Words”


Humans Hard-Wired for Speech but not for Reading and Writing

Humans communicate naturally by speech – that is to say, without any special training besides hearing individuals speak to each other. The reason is the structure of our brains. Researchers have shown that there are two specific centers in the human brain that oversee and control language acquisition; both are in the brain’s left hemisphere. … Continue reading “Humans Hard-Wired for Speech but not for Reading and Writing”


Conducting a Reading Evaluation

If a child is struggling with reading, it is critical to have a specialist conduct a reading evaluation to determine what the specific difficulties are and what can be done to correct them. Such an evaluation should always be conducted by a qualified professional, someone who has an expertise in reading in addition to any … Continue reading “Conducting a Reading Evaluation”


How to Foster the Early Literacy Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Last week we discussed the AAP’s policy statements and technical reports emphasizing the critical importance of early literacy for children – starting from the time they are born. Parents and caregivers should work with their pediatricians to ensure that their children are exposed to critical age-dependent skills so that they enter school ready to build … Continue reading “How to Foster the Early Literacy Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)”


The American Academy of Pediatrics’ View of the Importance of Early Literacy

How important is early literacy in a child’s development? And when we say early, how early is that? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has weighed in on the matter with a number of policy statements and technical reports, and the results just might surprise you. The AAP recommends that pediatricians promote early literacy development … Continue reading “The American Academy of Pediatrics’ View of the Importance of Early Literacy”