A parliamentary inquiry is looking into how to improve literacy levels among Australian adults. But the government can act now to make some information and services more accessible.
A new understanding of the importance of Grade 1 is beginning to change writing education. If your child is missing important basic skills, talk with your child’s teacher to create a plan.
Research shows that grit is a strong predictor of reading achievement. This suggests that socio-emotional skills are important for student achievement, even in high-poverty contexts.
A policy of “choice” for full-time online schooling would weaken public education, erode funding for in-classroom supports and drive those who can afford it to private education.
Lockdown life accelerated the role of digital technology in the virtual classroom, but there is still no substitute for physical books in children’s lives and learning.
One way to help children learn the words they need to thrive academically is by reading aloud from books and news sources that use both narrative and expository writing.
Kiwi school kids are not consistently taught letter formation or spelling the way they once were. But these simple skills are part of the foundations of higher learning.
Almost half of Australian adults struggle with reading. Our recent analysis of government information on COVID-19 found many documents were inaccessible to struggling readers.
A researcher who explored 500 picture books created by authors or illustrators living in Canada suggests books that are extraordinary in both text and illustration.
Disruptions to schooling at the lower grades should be remedied, otherwise there could be a serious impact on the quality of Matriculants a decade or more from now.
Video games can be useful in learning English, math, history, physics and yes, even physical education. While they’re not a substitute for schooling, video games are a great indoor activity.
If families embrace reading as fun and routine and teachers work more closely than before with the families of their students, it’s possible that remote learning won’t be a huge obstacle to literacy.
Professor, Canada Research Chair in Determinants of Child Development, Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary