How the Brain Learns to Read

In my recent exploration of how the brain learns to read, I discovered fascinating insights from both the Teaching Reading Sourcebook and videos titled How the Brain Learns to Read and Literacy Academy 2020: The Reading Brain. These resources dive into the cognitive processes involved in reading and how various parts of the brain work together to decode and comprehend text. For example, the brain doesn’t have a single “reading center”; instead, reading involves a complex interplay between the visual processing area, the phonological processing center, and the area responsible for language comprehension.

One of the most critical takeaways is the importance of systematic and explicit phonics instruction. This foundational skill allows young readers to decode words and link sounds with letters. Understanding how the brain learns to recognize patterns, such as letter combinations and word families, provides a roadmap for effective teaching. For a new teacher, these insights emphasize the need to focus on developing phonemic awareness and letter recognition before moving into more complex reading tasks. Without these foundational skills, students may struggle with reading comprehension and fluency.

Moving forward, I plan to implement explicit phonics instruction by using multisensory approaches. For example, when introducing new letter sounds, I can incorporate visual aids, songs, and physical movement to engage multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. By systematically building upon each lesson, I can ensure students master each phonetic component before advancing to more complex concepts. I also plan to regularly assess students’ progress to identify any areas of difficulty early on, providing targeted support as needed.

This knowledge is invaluable for helping struggling readers. Understanding the brain’s process in learning to read allows teachers to identify which parts of the process are breaking down for a child. If a student has difficulty with phonemic awareness, we can target activities to strengthen those skills. This brain-based approach ensures that instruction is tailored to each student’s needs, making it more likely that struggling readers will experience success.