Science of Reading and Learning Science
Understanding how children learn changes everything. The Science of Reading and broader learning science give us a research-based picture of how the brain develops, how children acquire skills, why some students struggle, and what instructional approaches make the biggest difference. Explore our articles to dig into the evidence.
Your Library Card Is the One of Most Underused Tool in a Child's Reading Life
The library card in your wallet may be worth more than you realize. Here’s what the research says about libraries, summer reading loss, and early literacy, plus four simple ways to make the library part of your family’s routine.
When Math Doesn't Add Up: Understanding Dyscalculia
The child counting on their fingers under the desk isn’t failing to try. Here’s what dyscalculia actually is, how it differs from math anxiety, why it so often overlaps with dyslexia and ADHD, and what helps.
ADHD and Reading: It’s Not About Attention
The name says attention. The research says something else entirely. Here’s why ADHD makes reading so much harder — even when decoding is fine — and why the quiet, daydreaming kids get missed just as often as the bouncing ones.
When Reading and Writing Are Both Hard: Understanding Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Why They So Often Appear Together
A child who can tell you a detailed story out loud but produces three halting, misspelled sentences on paper isn’t holding back — their brain is working overtime just to get the words down. Here’s why dyslexia and dysgraphia so often travel together, and what actually helps.
Every Teacher Is a Reading Teacher: The State of Reading in Middle and High School
A third of 8th graders can't read at a basic level, and it started before COVID. Here's why secondary teachers weren't trained to catch it — and four research-backed practices any content-area teacher can use starting Monday.
Books for Hispanic Heritage Month: Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors for Every Reader in Your House
Six picture books and four chapter books celebrating Hispanic and Latino voices — several Pura Belpré winners among them — for every reader in your house this Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors: Why Representation in Books Matters for Every Child
A mirror reflects. A window reveals. A sliding glass door invites you in. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's 1990 framework explains why the books a child reads say who belongs — and what you can do about it.
Midweek Mini: What to Read This Fall — A Book List for Every Reader in Your House
Picture books, chapter books, and a few classics worth reading together — twelve fall favorites for every reader in your house, from preschool through middle grade.
Literacy for People, the Planet, and Prosperity: What National Literacy Month Is Really About
This isn't a test score or a policy goal — it's a force in a human life. A reflection on what literacy actually builds, and five simple things you can do this month to act on it.
Should You Correct Every Mistake When Your Child Reads Aloud?
Your child stumbles on a word — do you jump in or wait? The research says the answer depends on the type of error, and jumping in too fast can undermine the very skill you're trying to build.
How to Build a Reading Life — Not Just Reading Skills
Learning to read and becoming a reader aren't the same thing. Here's what actually builds reading identity — the right book, being seen as a reader, and real choice — for kids at home and in the classroom.
Midweek Mini: Sleep and Learning: Why Rest Is Part of Learning
Sleep isn't just rest—it's when the brain locks in new learning. Learn what the research says and three habits that support it at home.
How to Give Good Feedback And What the Research Actually Says
"Great job" feels like feedback. It isn't. Here's what decades of research say actually helps a learner improve—and the specific language shift that makes it work, for teachers and parents alike.
What the Research Says to Prioritize: A Reading Teacher’s Guide to the New Year
Not a to-do list — a menu for reflection. Ten research-backed questions worth sitting with as the year begins, each one pointing to a small shift that can make a real difference.
Behind the Classroom Door: A Parent’s Guide to Reading Instruction, Pre-K–5
Reading instruction happens behind a classroom door, in a language most families were never taught. Here's what to expect at every grade, what to ask, and when to advocate — all in one place.
Midweek Mini: Back to School Is Coming. Here’s What to Ask Your Child’s Teacher About Reading
You don't need a formal meeting to ask the questions that matter most. Here are three simple, back-to-school questions that open the door to real communication about your child's reading.
How to Embed Reading Instruction in Content Area Teaching
Reading comprehension isn't a separate skill from science and social studies—it depends on them. Here's what happens when you stop treating content and literacy as competitors.
Midweek Mini: How to Make Your Orientation Meeting Count
You get a few minutes with each family at orientation. Here's how to make it count—what families need to hear from you, and what you need to hear from them.
Debunking Learning Styles: What the Research Actually Says
Nearly 9 in 10 teachers believe in learning styles. The research says the evidence isn't there. Here's what actually predicts how well a child learns—and why the label can become a ceiling.
Midweek Mini: Five Questions to Ask at Your First Meeting With Your Child’s Teacher
You get maybe five minutes with your child's new teacher. Here are the five questions that make them count—the ones that open real communication, not just small talk.