{"id":239734,"date":"2023-04-19T20:47:48","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T20:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buoyantbloomer.com\/?p=239734"},"modified":"2023-07-19T17:39:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T17:39:38","slug":"science-of-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buoyantbloomer.com\/science-of-reading\/","title":{"rendered":"Master the science of reading and read to learn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your child will learn to read in Kindergarten (with caveats – more on that below), but will it be based on the science of reading or will the approach be the debunked balanced literacy method? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One method leads to success and the other spells doom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I got your attention, then you very likely want the best education for your kids and understand that something\u2019s not right with the state of teaching today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toto we’re not in Kansas anymore<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nope, it\u2019s not just the pandemic and the bum rush to the exits that teachers made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s something more fundamental. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way education is delivered these days is mighty different from when the millennials went to elementary school in the 80s. Even though research has proven over and over again that the science of reading works, we somehow made a U-turn in the 90s as a nation and moved away from structured literacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you still tracking with me? Then I\u2019m positive you want the best for your kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, isn\u2019t that why we enroll them in extracurricular activities (side eye to those 18 month olds in soccer), invest in their education, and encourage them to pursue their passions? Isn\u2019t that why we pray for a gifted and talented seat<\/a>, an IB elementary school<\/a>, or a dual language program<\/a> – anything but general education to give them a leg up? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is one skill that is often overlooked though in the hustle and bustle of parenting: reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re here, so I know you\u2019re reading to your kids already. But if you’re committed to developing a well-rounded individual and enroll them in extracurriculars already, what about using<\/strong> the science of reading to get them reading to learn instead of learning to read? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case for teaching decoding skills before Kindergarten<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why wait for schools to teach kids to read if your kids show interest in letters now? Who says they have to wait and who says it\u2019s going to be a waste of time or need to take a lot of time if you gently start showing them how to decode our language?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading is the gateway to knowledge, imagination, and creativity. Without strong reading skills, children may struggle to keep up with their peers in school and beyond. Here are just a few reasons why I believe parents need to teach their kids to read using a science of reading approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Reading Improves Cognitive Function<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Reading is not just about decoding words on a page. It requires a complex set of cognitive processes, including attention, memory, and language processing. When children learn to read, they are strengthening their cognitive abilities and building new neural pathways in the brain. This can lead to improved critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and overall cognitive function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Reading Boosts Vocabulary and Comprehension<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Reading is one of the best ways to expand your child’s vocabulary and comprehension skills. By exposing them to a variety of texts, from picture books to chapter books, children can learn new words and concepts that they may not encounter in everyday life. This can also improve their reading comprehension, allowing them to better understand and analyze the information they encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Reading Fosters Creativity and Imagination<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Reading is not just about learning new information. It is also a form of entertainment and escapism. Children explore new worlds, meet new characters, and use their imaginations in ways that are not possible in real life. This can foster creativity, empathy, and a love of learning that will serve them well throughout their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Reading Builds Stronger Relationships<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          By reading together, parents create a special shared experience with their children, one that promotes communication, connection, and a love of learning. This can also help children develop a lifelong love of reading and a curiosity about the world around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Why bother beginning with phonics instruction before Kindergarten? Because repetition leads to mastery. The sounds of each letter come first – strong readers are those who have had time and practice decoding words and mapping them into the memory banks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Also: you have control over what readers your child starts out with. It doesn\u2019t have to be the boring BOB books! The books that are going to be interesting to kids will be the ones that are slightly out of their reach but have great photos and are grounded in real life (history, art, or science). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Be honest – forcing them to read fake stories *just because* the words are simple and at their reading level when they have been exposed to REAL books is\u2026slightly cruel. Kids cannot un-know what good literature and storytelling is, so don\u2019t force them to read watered down books for the sake of practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If they\u2019re going to practice, let them read the readers that are at least grounded in real life. Your kids will learn something + practice their literacy skills. A win-win!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Phonics #FTW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Reading isn’t just about recognizing words on a page. It’s a complex process involving several integral components, each playing a vital role in making sense of written language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n