https://www.readingrockets.org/feeds/parentresources.xml en https://www.readingrockets.org/research-by-topic/engaging-explicit-and-elaborated-initial-trial-media-enhanced-preschool-vocabulary Children from backgrounds of poverty often lag behind more advantaged peers in early language skills, including breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge. We report the results of a pilot study of an explicit and elaborated vocabulary intervention in preschool classrooms serving children from lower-income backgrounds. The intervention used multimodal instruction, including segments from public television children's programs and interactive games, to build children's knowledge of and semantic connections for 128 words across 18 weeks of daily lessons. Fri, 16 Dec 2022 13:12:12 EST Reading Rockets https://www.readingrockets.org/research-by-topic/engaging-explicit-and-elaborated-initial-trial-media-enhanced-preschool-vocabulary https://www.readingrockets.org/research-by-topic/current-state-evidence-examining-effects-orton-gillingham-reading-interventions Over the past decade, parent advocacy groups led a grassroots movement resulting in most states adopting dyslexia-specific legislation, with many states mandating the use of the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach to reading instruction. Orton-Gillingham is a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive approach to reading for students with or at risk for word-level reading disabilities (WLRD). Evidence from a prior synthesis and What Works Clearinghouse reports yielded findings lacking support for the effectiveness of OG interventions. Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:40:37 EDT Reading Rockets https://www.readingrockets.org/research-by-topic/current-state-evidence-examining-effects-orton-gillingham-reading-interventions https://www.readingrockets.org/article/getting-your-first-grader-good-start-tips-families First grade can bring a lot of changes! Even if your child had a great kindergarten year, there can be lots of new routines and expectations for first graders that can feel really different for students (and families). Here’s what you need to know. Wed, 28 Sep 2022 12:36:22 EDT Lydia Breiseth, Reading Rockets https://www.readingrockets.org/article/getting-your-first-grader-good-start-tips-families https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/music-one-s-ears Ever since that first childhood moment when I clapped two pot lids together and discovered the sounds that rang out, I’ve been fascinated by what sound can do to spark imagination and share information. I don’t use cookware as cymbals these days but am more quietly appreciative of how meaningful and beautiful the sounds around us can be. Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:55:56 EDT Rachael Walker https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/music-one-s-ears https://www.readingrockets.org/research-by-topic/efficacy-digital-media-resources-improving-children-s-ability-use-informational Informational text — resources whose purpose is to inform — is essential to daily life and fundamental to literacy. Unfortunately, young children typically have limited exposure to informational text. Two 9-week randomized controlled trials with 263 first-grade children from low-income communities examined whether free educational videos and digital games from the PBS KIDS show “Molly of Denali” supported children’s ability to use informational text to answer real-world questions. Study 1 found significant positive intervention impacts on child outcomes; Study 2 replicated these findings. Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:08:03 EDT Reading Rockets https://www.readingrockets.org/research-by-topic/efficacy-digital-media-resources-improving-children-s-ability-use-informational https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/page-page/meet-ali-kamanda-and-jorge-redmond-authors-black-boy-black-boy-celebrating-power-you I met two debut authors at a summer conference and was taken with their warmth and earnestness. Their book, Black Boy, Black Boy, is an affirmation that celebrates both past accomplishments by Black men and the limitless possibilities for a child’s future. Their book is sure to encourage discussion with children and families, whether they are Black or not. Both authors graciously agreed to a blog interview. Wed, 24 Aug 2022 16:21:39 EDT Maria Salvadore https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/page-page/meet-ali-kamanda-and-jorge-redmond-authors-black-boy-black-boy-celebrating-power-you https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/harmony-nature My father, the birder, is often excited to share his sightings with me — especially so this summer when he got back from a long-planned trip to South Africa. 153 species! I love how he finds joy and peace by connecting with the world through observing birds, interacting with fellow birders, and telling tales of his birding adventures. In so many wonderful ways, Dad’s daily routines and way of life are linked to nature and the birds he loves. Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:29:35 EDT Rachael Walker https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/harmony-nature https://www.readingrockets.org/article/preparing-young-children-school See the full guide Preparing Young Children for School Practice Guide › Recent research has identified practices that have the potential to prepare young children to benefit from the learning opportunities they will encounter in school. Mon, 22 Aug 2022 19:58:57 EDT What Works Clearinghouse, U.S. Department of Education https://www.readingrockets.org/article/preparing-young-children-school https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/where-music-your-life Earlier this year, Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui made it to the top of my “to be read” stack. The cover had caught my eye and I’d heard good things about it from friend and author Madelyn Rosenberg, who has excellent taste in books.  Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:29:37 EDT Rachael Walker https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/where-music-your-life https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/ready-reading-adventures We want readers to make connections between books and their own lives and the world around them. Connecting real experiences for kids with literary ones is something that I’ve found also helps readers value books and knowledge. And it is so much fun to extend the pages of a story into a real-world activity! Thu, 11 Aug 2022 14:59:00 EDT Rachael Walker https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/book-life/ready-reading-adventures