Have you ever watched a child’s eyes light up when they meet Ramona Quimby for the first time? Beverly Cleary, one of America’s most cherished children’s authors, created characters that generations of young readers have befriended during their journey to reading fluency. What makes Cleary’s works so special isn’t just their humor and relatability—it’s how […]
When your child begins to recognize the squiggly shapes that make up our alphabet, they take their first crucial steps toward literacy. Children’s knowledge of letter names and shapes is one of the strongest predictors of reading success. But did you know that understanding different letter formats—from the physical formation of alphabet letters to the […]
As we step into 2025, a whole bunch of captivating children’s books are set to hit the shelves, offering young readers a diverse range of adventures, lessons, and inspirations. Below is a curated list of recent or upcoming releases, complete with reading levels, summaries, and who they’re best for. Gracie’s Corner: Today Is Gonna Be […]
As parents, we often celebrate when our children show early signs of reading. After all, isn’t early reading a sign of academic success? While early reading can indeed be a positive milestone, sometimes it might signal a condition called hyperlexia—where exceptional word-reading abilities don’t match up with comprehension skills. If you’re wondering about your child’s […]
Walk into any classroom, and you’ll see it immediately: every student is unique. Some are racing through their books, others are carefully sounding out each word, and a few might be struggling to get started. As teachers, we’re tasked with helping each of these learners succeed, and that’s where differentiated reading instruction becomes our most […]
Understanding root words isn’t just another reading strategy—it’s a fundamental approach that unlocks thousands of new words for developing readers. As we explore the science behind root word instruction, you’ll discover why this method is so powerful for building strong readers. The Power of Root Words in Reading Reading theories show us that explicit vocabulary […]
During the holidays, life is filled with traditions, joy, excitement, and lots of gifts. If you have kids, one of the best gifts you can give is the opportunity for your little ones to develop a love of reading. Holiday books can be an entertaining and inspiring way to bring people together and spread the […]
The timeline of literacy development varies from child to child. From what science now knows about reading, however, there are some general milestones that most children follow as they gradually learn to read. For example, children typically begin to identify words that rhyme and recognize some familiar words by the age of 5. In first […]
Did you know that the foundation for learning to read is understanding speech sounds? While letters and words are seen with our eyes, when learning to read the brain facilitates a process that correlates with spoken language. This is why it’s so important for children to sound things out when they’re learning to read. In […]
As parents, we all want our children to become confident, skilled readers. To do this, they not only need to practice but must also have strong foundational skills that support their current reading abilities, as well as their long-term academic journey. When choosing books for your early reader, one previously popular approach has been “reading […]
