Phonics: Practice makes permanent

Intensive, explicit phonics instruction can “rewire” the brains of struggling readers, according to RMIT scientist Dr. Kerry Hempenstall. He cites brain imaging studies to support his contention that “60 hours of careful daily phonics teaching alters the way the brain responds to print. Inefficient right-hemisphere activity diminishes, and left-hemisphere activity increases.” As a result, “New MRI images now look much more like those of good readers [and] measured reading outcomes include increased fluency and comprehension.” Find his essay in The Age. (Australia)