Reading comprehension--the ability to understand the meaning of text--is a foundational ability that enables children to learn in school and throughout life. Children who struggle with reading comprehension in the third or fourth grade are at high risk for dropping out of school, with detrimental effects on their future employment, income, and…

The relationship between consistency of hand preference, left hemispheric specialization, and cognitive functioning was examined in an ongoing longitudinal investigation. Children were classified as consistent or inconsistent in their hand preference across 5 assessments from ages 18 to 42 months. Findings demonstrated that (a) this early…

It is well documented in the literature that early pre-K reading experiences prepare children for the benefits of formal literacy instruction in the later grades. This is particularly true for young children from nonmainstream backgrounds. The objective of this article is to share the findings of a 4-year qualitative study investigating the…

Notes the California's Reading Task Force's heavy emphasis on phonemic awareness (PA) evaluation and training. Argues that although evidence shows that phonemic awareness will emerge by simply reading, California's school libraries--ranked near last in the nation--would require a massive commitment to rise to the task. Argues (in an ironic tone)…

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS TO EXAMINE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF STORIES AND STORY BOOKS ON 142 PRESCHOOL CHILDREN INCLUDING 46 NEGROES (N.Y. AND CALIF.), 22 PUERTO RICANS (N.Y.), 10 MEXICANS (CALIF.), 16 SIOUX (S. DAKOTA) AND 48 NAVAJO (ARIZ. - N. MEXICO) BY MEANS OF STANDARDIZED RETELLING OF STORIES. A FURTHER AIM WAS TO DISCOVER PATTERNS OF…