If we try to make schools in the US more like schools in other countries, will that result in more effective practices? Why do policies work in some districts, but not others? Many ideas sound good on paper; but the people working with students or leading schools are telling a different story. That’s why I…
Tag: literacy
EP 149: Audiobooks, homework research, and the “read for 20 minutes” rule
If the schools are devoting time and money to improving reading instruction, how should the rest of the day look for kids as it pertains to literacy? Should parents be working with kids at home? If so, how much? What about reading? Can we use apps to help build language skills? How about audiobooks? A…
EP 98: How to become a children’s book author (with Valerie Doherty)
On episode 98 of the “De Facto Leaders” podcast, I had the opportunity to interview children’s book author and veteran SLP, Valerie Doherty. Valerie has over 30 years of experience as an SLP, and in 2011 her passion for language and literacy inspired her to start writing children’s books. Readers need physical books they can…
EP 71: DLD, CAPD, dyslexia, and hyperlexia and supporting literacy
Therapists and educators supporting K-12 literacy have a lot of diagnoses and labels to navigate, and some of them are controversial. In some debates, the diagnosis itself is in question; Central Auditory Processing Disorder being one example. With hyperlexia, some people suggest that there is a certain way hyperlexic people need to learn to read;…
EP 029: Literacy skills and technology: The pros and cons
In episode 29 of the Are they 18 yet?™ podcast, I did part 3 of a 3-part series on literacy (you can find parts 1 and 2 in episode 27 and episode 28.) Since the influx of technology, a lot of us are left wondering how this will impact our children’s learning; especially their reading and writing…
EP 028: How to help kids become fluent readers and spellers
Figuring out how to help kids learn to spell can be confusing. If you’ve ever helped one of your kids or students spell a word, only to have them forget what you taught them the next day, you know what I mean. The challenge is that if kids don’t automatically catch on to reading skills,…
EP 027: Is texting affecting spelling and reading skills?
With all the technology and texting kids are doing these days, I often find myself wondering if kids are getting enough “good” practice with spelling and reading skills. Based on social rules, texts often don’t have to be written with “correct” grammar and spelling. Since a lot of the kids I’ve worked (who have diagnoses…
EP 019: How to support your dyslexic child (with Nicole Holcomb)
In this episode, I had the opportunity to talk with Nicole Holcomb from Dyslexia Mom Life. Nicole is a lawyer, and educator (she’s worked as a teacher, school counselor, and school administrator); but most importantly, she’s a mom of a dyslexic daughter and the host of the Dyslexia Mom Life podcast where she provides information and support for…
EP 016: How much “school” practice do kids need in the summer?
In the spring, I often get a lot of questions about what parents should be doing with their kids over the summer to keep them from regressing. That’s why in episode 016 of the Are they 18 yet?™ podcast, I shared my tips and recommendations for summer “school” work, so the back-to-school routine doesn’t throw…