Reading Minds

Depression

Bibliotherapy: Using Books to Help and Heal

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on October 1, 2019

Can you heal and grow through reading? It's an ancient idea with recent support from research.

Can you heal and grow through reading? It's an ancient idea with recent support from research.

Sport and Competition

A Father's Role(s) in Reading

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on June 16, 2019

When they read with their children, fathers interact differently than mothers—and everybody benefits!

When they read with their children, fathers interact differently than mothers—and everybody benefits!

Education

Why Read When You Can Listen?

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on April 30, 2019

Will audiobooks, podcasts, and text-to-speech software make reading obsolete?

Will audiobooks, podcasts, and text-to-speech software make reading obsolete?

Authenticity

Authentic Voices

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on March 21, 2019

How can someone with a curious mind and a singular mission can make a unique and personal difference for children’s literacy in her own community?

How can someone with a curious mind and a singular mission can make a unique and personal difference for children’s literacy in her own community?

Dementia

My Mother, the Reader

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on January 11, 2019

A story of old age and reading, and the gifts that remain...

A story of old age and reading, and the gifts that remain...

Friends

Screens vs. Books? Not Necessarily….

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on November 30, 2018

Time "on-screen" does not have to be time away from reading; find out four ways to use technology to promote, instead of replacing, real reading!

Time "on-screen" does not have to be time away from reading; find out four ways to use technology to promote, instead of replacing, real reading!

Education

Now I Know My ABCs. Tell Me What You Think of Me!

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on October 10, 2018

Think learning the alphabet is simple? Think again. There's a lot packed into those 26 letters.

Think learning the alphabet is simple? Think again. There's a lot packed into those 26 letters.

Education

3 Things About Reading We (Still!) Need to Figure Out

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on September 28, 2018

Even if peace is finally declared in the “Reading Wars,” there are still some important questions we need to answer about learning to read.

Even if peace is finally declared in the “Reading Wars,” there are still some important questions we need to answer about learning to read.

Education

4 Things We (Really) Know About Learning to Read

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on August 29, 2018

A recent review summarizes findings that both sides of the “reading wars” can agree on. This common knowledge can tell us a lot about helping children read.

A recent review summarizes findings that both sides of the “reading wars” can agree on. This common knowledge can tell us a lot about helping children read.

Although the effect of volunteer reading programs on children’s reading skills are relatively modest, they generally have some positive impact and are probably worth trying.

Friends

What Is It with Boys and Reading?

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on March 31, 2018

The evidence from national and international surveys and tests is clear: On average, boys read less, and less well, than girls. But why? And what can we do about it?

The evidence from national and international surveys and tests is clear: On average, boys read less, and less well, than girls. But why? And what can we do about it?

Child Development

E-books for Young Children, Blessing or Bane?

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on February 26, 2018

Reading books together is one of the best ways to start young children on the path to lifelong literacy, but what about e-books? Are they just as good? The answer: It depends...

Reading books together is one of the best ways to start young children on the path to lifelong literacy, but what about e-books? Are they just as good? The answer: It depends...

Education

Vocabulary and Comprehension

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on January 30, 2018

Working with kindergarteners reminds us how important vocabulary is for reading comprehension. Kids come to school with widely different vocabularies, but adults can help!

Working with kindergarteners reminds us how important vocabulary is for reading comprehension. Kids come to school with widely different vocabularies, but adults can help!

Some children learn to read before they are formally taught. Then they arrive at school.

Education

"So Much to Read, So Little Time!"

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on September 30, 2017

Speed reading courses and apps promise to help us learn to read faster and better, but do they really work?

Speed reading courses and apps promise to help us learn to read faster and better, but do they really work?

Health

It's Poverty, Stupid!

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on August 14, 2017

Billions spent to raise U.S. reading scores have had little, if any, effect. Is the money misspent? Maybe, but there is another major factor holding us back.

Billions spent to raise U.S. reading scores have had little, if any, effect. Is the money misspent? Maybe, but there is another major factor holding us back.

Every year, after-school programs keep children safe, improve physical fitness, and support growth in literacy.

Artificial Intelligence

On Writing Systems

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on April 24, 2017

How different is it for children learning to read in a language that is not English? It may depend on the characteristics of the writing system that the language is written in.

How different is it for children learning to read in a language that is not English? It may depend on the characteristics of the writing system that the language is written in.

Motivation

Three Myths About “Reading Levels”

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on February 28, 2017

AR levels? Lexiles? DRA2? “Leveled” reading programs are everywhere, but they are often misunderstood and misused, based on three very common myths about reading levels.

AR levels? Lexiles? DRA2? “Leveled” reading programs are everywhere, but they are often misunderstood and misused, based on three very common myths about reading levels.

Flow

The Music of Reading Aloud

Paula J. Schwanenflugel, Ph.D., and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, Ph.D. on January 20, 2017

When good readers read aloud, it sounds like music.

When good readers read aloud, it sounds like music.