If we know the research, why don't we apply it?

A research team headed by scientists from the esteemed Yale School of Medicine announced in 2004 a particularly significant finding for children who have trouble learning to read. It was reported by Gilbert Zarate in the Brownsville Herald: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/opinions_more.php?id=61072_0_11_0_C

The focus of this study, as much of the writing on this topic, is on how to assist struggling readers. While struggling readers show us what the critical issues are, children who are not struggling will be able to learn much more, much quicker, if they are also given exposure to the best teaching practices.

Unfortunately, as is commonly the case, teachers leave good students to fend for themselves on the mistaken assumption that they don’t need help. Mom and Dad can and should do things at home to enhance their child’s learning and intelligence.

"We know that reading instruction for struggling readers must be explicit, systematic, and allow sufficient time for student learning (direct instruction).

We also know that the reading curriculum should include the five critical components that are fundamental to learning to read — phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension.”

So if the scientific evidence strongly proves that phonics instruction re-maps the brain for the better, why does the educational establishment, for the most part, continue to ignore the data and teach ineffective reading (and math) methods? Part of the answer may be found in the lobbying and monetary influence of textbook publishers, who follow fads for personal gain rather than true research results.

Part of the answer may be found in the egos of some university educational PhDs pushing their own theories and agendas. Part of the answer can be found in the inertia and ennui of large government entities, schools, to resist change.

Whatever the factors, it is clear that parents must not let their children be left to fend for themselves in school. Parents can follow the best practices of phonics reading instruction (and math instruction) with their children at home to ensure a great foundation for success.

Phonics improves brain function

"A research team headed by scientists from the prestigious Yale School of Medicine recently announced an extremely important finding for children who have had difficulty learning to read. The study reported that the brain function of poor readers actually changes to resemble the brain’s function of “good” readers when they have been taught to read through instruction that is direct, systematic, and focuses on the sounds and letters that make up words, the meanings of words, and helping children read accurately and quickly.

"Using functional MRI scanners, researchers were able to document that effective reading instruction not only improves reading ability but actually changes the brain’s functioning so children can read more efficiently. These struggling readers were taught to read using a comprehensive reading program that focused on systematically teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and spelling and, as a result, formed new and lasting neurological connections and pathways in parts of their brain that regulate reading ability.

"We know that almost every child in America — whatever race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic level — can become a strong and confident reader when taught through a comprehensive approach grounded in systematic, research-based instruction. And we know that scientifically based reading instruction can be successfully implemented in all schools — whether urban, suburban, or rural.

Unfortunately, the reality today is that nearly 40 percent of fourth-grade students are unable to read at grade level. While many policymakers, educators and parents are enthusiastic about teaching children to read, not all schools and school districts are implementing instruction grounded in scientific approaches that have been proven to increase reading skills. Despite what we know works, not all schools have put in place carefully developed, comprehensive reading programs that include research-proven instructional practices. This is a travesty."

I didn't write this, but it is way cool!

A Pretty Girl Was Alpha Bette

Here are 4 problems for parents and 4 solutions given by the Godfrey Method in A Pretty Girl Was Alpha Bette:


• Problem 1: Our schools are falling further and further behind in education

o With the Godfrey Method of early reading by phonics, increase your child’s IQ and capacity to learn for the rest of his/her life.

o It empowers parents to reverse the downward educational trend by putting their children at the head of the class – in spite of gaps in the school’s system. This also increases their children’s self-esteem.

o The Godfrey Method helps parents make sure their children will be ready for the technology jobs of the future – because reading is the foundation of everything else.

• Problem 2: Public schools and parenting magazines are telling parents to delay reading

o With the Godfrey Method, parents can and should teach their children to read before kindergarten. It helps capture that crucial learning window between the ages of 2-5 years old. Delaying learning until school age is a travesty for our children, missing their peak learning time. Preschool is not the answer, either. Teachers don’t know what to do with bright children.

o Starting reading early, by one-on-one phonics the right way, can prevent dyslexia. Prevention is much better than remediation later, and much better for the child’s self-esteem. The Godfrey Method allows parents to start their children younger than other methods, which is key to prevention.

o With the Godfrey Method, children who are struggling will come up to speed. Children who are doing fine will learn faster and easier. It fixes the top ten wrong ways schools and parents teach reading.

• Problem 3: Many preschools and kindergartens are starting with sight reading

o If your baby can read by sight words now, s/he may have problems reading as an adult. The Godfrey Method of unique phonics teaches young children the right way. It is easier to memorize 42 sounds and easily decode new words, than to memorize 4,000 words by sight and stumble on unfamiliar words.

o Phonics has been proven to wire a child’s brain properly for reading. Phonics is the only proven cure for dyslexia, too. Sight reading puts a child behind from the get-go.

o Sight reading should never be the starting point. It comes later as the natural progression from sounding-out phonics. The Godfrey Method uses the idea of ‘platypus words’ for those that aren’t phonetic.

• Problem 4: Parents are so busy, especially working moms, and it’s hard to fit everything into their schedule.

o The Godfrey Method fits easily into any busy schedule and can make a fun bedtime routine.

o It provides children with the two most crucial things they need: quality parent time and expert reading skills. Wise parents turn off the TV, radio, and video games to spend time reading with their children.

o Universal preschool is not the answer. Many experts have proven that young children learn best from their parents. Parents are the solution to fixing education, not the problem. The Godfrey Method is simple and effective – something mom and dad can do at home. And the child never forgets.

Meg Whitman (former CEO of eBay and candidate for California governor) quote,

“We all hear reports of China and India becoming the next centers for technology and innovation. We’re running behind as a nation in engineering, science, math, and technology... Being near the bottom in education is a tragedy for our kids and a threat to our future. To restore our prosperity and do right by our children, we need to better educate them in the basics… to prepare them to excel in the workforce."