S8 E8: The plea to preserve deep reading, with Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D.

Jan 17, 2024

Maryanne Wolf, esteemed literacy expert and director of UCLA's Center for Dyslexia, delves into the tensions of literacy instruction. She talks about the plea to preserve deep reading in the digital age, literacy and screens, and the most pressing topics in research on the brain and literacy. She also emphasizes the importance of teachers and passing on knowledge.

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Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Roles and Experiences in Education, Advocacy, and Literacy

02:08 • 4min

The Cognitive Neuroscience of Reading

06:32 • 7min

Developing Language Skills in Young Children

13:29 • 7min

Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain

20:33 • 9min

The Negative Consequences of Skimming in Reading

29:14 • 10min

The Importance of Foundational Skills

39:20 • 20min

Acknowledgment, Teasers, and Sponsor Announcement

59:10 • 2min

A name known throughout the literacy world, Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D., has published over 170 scientific articles and four books focusing on the science of the reading brain. In this episode she discusses the reading brain in a digital context and delves into some of the tensions around literacy instruction in the present moment, including the Science of Reading beyond just phonics, the plea to preserve deep reading, and literacy and screens. She also talks about the topics she’s most focused on and the ones she feels are most pressing in general when it comes to research on the brain and literacy. And she ends with an impassioned message to teachers, expressing her deep respect and gratitude.

Show notes:

Quotes:

“What I would say to any teacher of balanced literacy: Let us bring our best selves and expand our knowledge. We both have things we can learn from each other. ” —Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D.

“Pass on why you learned to be a teacher. Pass it on to your students. Let’s make that next generation of teachers truly excited about what we can do to release the potential of every child.” —Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D.

Episode Content Timestamps*

2:00: Introduction: Who is Maryanne Wolf?
7:00: Cognitive neuroscience and how it relates to early childhood literacy
14:00: Elements kids aged 0-5 need to develop before build the reading circuits in the brain
21:00: Maryanne’s first book, Proust and the Squid
27:00: Maryanne’s third book, Reader Come Home
31:00: The reading brain in the digital age: What screens do to the reading brain
43:00: Maryanne Wolf and the Science of Reading movement
48:00: Discussing presentation with the Teachers College
55:00: Most important topics in the evolving world of reading research
58:00: Maryanne’s message to teachers of deep gratitude and respect

*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute