Children each learn and develop at their own pace, and reading is no different from other skill building. It’s common for kids to find reading challenging at one point or another. But if learning to read becomes an ongoing struggle that leaves a child falling behind his peers, it’s possible that he has a learning disorder known as dyslexia. Read more ›
When a child is struggling in school, the first step to finding help is figuring out what’s getting in his way. As a starting point, you need an evaluation of your child’s learning profile, to identify strengths and weaknesses, and suggest what kind of support he might need to thrive. Read more ›
Going back to school can be exciting, but it can also be scary. Kids with learning and thinking differences may have added concerns and issues with self-esteem. These back-to-school book picks from Understood‘s founding partner Reading Rockets can show them they are not alone. Read more ›
Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Storyline Online®, a children’s literacy website produced by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Read more ›
Diverse BookFinder (DBF) is a comprehensive collection of children’s picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC). Read more ›
If you’re an adult who understands the importance of seeking out picture books that feature Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC), it can still be challenging to know how to choose a good book from among what’s available on the “diverse books” market. Read more ›
It is never too early to talk to children about issues such as racism, diversity, and social injustice. Reading and talking about books provides an entry point to discussing these complex topics. Read more ›
It’s never too early to talk to your kids about race—these books are a great place to start.
Speaking to children and teens about diversity might seem daunting, but it is more important than ever. Studies from Harvard University suggest that children as young as three years old, when exposed to racism and prejudice, tended to embrace and accept it, even though they might not entirely understand what they were feeling. Read more ›
How do you know if a children’s book you’re about to share with your students accurately portrays the culture of its characters? Are there warning signs to look for? Are there telltale things that mark an outstanding multicultural book?
Get 50 great book recommendations plus advice from top educators, writers, and illustrators on how to spot literature that transcends stereotypes. Read more ›
If you’re a parent and want your children to develop into lifelong learners, there are a range of things that you can do. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development created a video series in which NICHD experts provide tips on how to encourage lifelong learning in your children using math, language, and reading skills. Read more ›
