Technolandy

Day 72 (of 2024/25) some legit ‘science of reading’ ~ brain matters?

Bad news – looks like it there is some neurological conditions that make it easier for some brains to understand this thing called ‘reading’ than other brains!

Good news – there are workouts that can be done!

https://apple.news/A5dkpyI8PQcSZ27xEKehiMw or https://www.wired.com/story/good-at-reading-your-brain-may-be-structured-differently/

As stated: This phonological awareness is a well-established precursor to children’s reading development. These are long entrenched by many of us who learned ‘whole language’ 

But it also reminds us that not all brains are wired the same way- as a TikTok on my algorithm asked: ‘y’all see pictures with the word apple…???’ – a good reminder for many of us (guilty!) who would say ‘books create pictures/images/movies in your brain… like a text only comic book!… that may not be universal…

But only 25% of youth say they read… adult reading is around 50% beyond school years… heck, made me wonder if this book fad might be finally waning away… https://technolandy.com/2024/12/09/day-67-of-2024-25-maybe-this-reading-words-fad-has-run-its-course-to-read-or-not-to-read-op-ed-for-theatlantic-and-edutopia-to-consider/

But maybe we ought to note that brain structure (and connections) matter… ‘A thinner left Heschl’s gyrus has previously been related to dyslexia,’ though we tend to brush past dyslexia pretty quick…cuz brains is weird… “brain structure can tell us a lot about reading skills. Importantly, though, the brain is malleable—it changes when we learn a new skill or practice an already acquired one.” <— yes reading elicits more reading… now, to find text that is engaging relevant and reflective of life (I identified with Jacob two-two ; today I’d wonder why gps wasn’t involved… (great book – Mordechai Richler was good at so many levels!)

So while I wondered last week if the reading fad is done… there are reasons beyond ‘just reading’ to work this part of the brain, as the author ponders “if skills like reading become less prioritized. Our capacity to interpret the world around us and understand the minds of others would surely diminish. In other words, that cozy moment with a book in your armchair isn’t just personal—it’s a service to humanity.”

So, me modelling reading for pleasure in my schools commons area? You’re welcome humanity – feel free to ask me what I’m reading (starting Handmaids Tale: graphic novel)