Reading Instruction Studies

Much research has been conducted on the science of reading instruction. This article details several studies, including those showing the benefits of explicit phonics instruction, particularly for students who struggle to read. A few findings follow.

• Children learn to understand speech through exposure to language and dialogue.
• Learning phonological skills such as rhyming, alliteration, alphabet letters, knowing numbers, sequencing, remembering information facilitate learning to read.  
• To read, they learn to connect oral and written language, depending on the orthographic and spelling rules. 
• The best phonics programs are systematic. Sight works are also effective (e.g., were, one, friend). 
• Reading with PK predicts elementary school level reading skill. 
• Reading print differs from reading digitally. 

Schwartz, S., & Sparks, S. (2019, October 2). How do kids learn to read? What the science says. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/how-do-kids-learn-to-read.html