Reading, Writing, and the Brain: Findings from Neuroscience

Reading, Writing, and the Brain: Findings from Neuroscience

Humans are wired for spoken language—but not for reading and writing. To become skilled readers and writers, our brains must build new connections among systems originally developed for speech, vision, movement, and meaning.

In this encore presentation, explore what neuroscience reveals about the complex networks involved in literacy and what happens when those networks develop differently. We’ll examine the integration of phonological, orthographic, semantic, and motor processes; the role of oral language as the foundation for literacy; and what brain research tells us about dyslexia, early identification, automaticity, handwriting, and reading comprehension.

Along the way, we’ll connect these findings to principles familiar to Slingerland educators, including explicit instruction, speech-to-print connections, careful practice, and simultaneous multimodal teaching. See how research into the reading brain helps explain not only why some students struggle, but why intentional, integrated instruction can make such an important difference.

What You'll Learn

• Discover why the brain is naturally equipped for oral language but must develop new neural connections to support reading and writing.

• Explore how phonological, orthographic, semantic, visual, and motor processes work together during literacy development.

• Examine what neuroscience reveals about dyslexia, risk factors, compensatory processes, and the importance of early identification and intervention.

• Connect findings from reading research with explicit, systematic, simultaneous multimodal literacy instruction.

  
  

What You'll See

• Brain imaging and reading-network diagrams

• Typical and dyslexic patterns of brain activation

• Speech-to-print and oral-language connections

• Examples involving decoding, handwriting, automaticity, and eye movements

Instructor

Nancy Cushen White, Ed.D.

• CSIT—Certified Slingerland Instructor of Teaching (Slingerland Literacy Institute)

• CSLDS—Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (IDA-CERI)

• CALT-QI—Certified Academic Language Therapist & Qualified Instructor (ALTA)

• BCET—Board Certified Educational Therapist (AET)

Who Should Attend

This webinar is designed for educators who are interested in deepening their understanding of the neurological aspects of learning and how to integrate that information in a practical approach.

Especially useful for Slingerland-trained classroom teachers, interventionists, special educators, and tutors using the Slingerland Approach.

Professional Learning

3 IMSELC-approved CEU hours

Google Calendar invite and Zoom link will be sent upon registration and again 24 hours before the start of the webinar.

Recordings of the webinar will be sent to registered participants approximately 5-7 business days after the conclusion of the class.

About Sustaining Slingerland Skills Webinars

Sustaining Slingerland Skills classes are follow-up classes intended for those who have completed at least the Introductory Comprehensive class. Specific classes may be appropriate for those who have taken a Slingerland short class based on topic. Each class will focus on a particular aspect of the Slingerland® Approach, the Slingerland lesson plan, structured literacy, and/or the science of reading. Follow-up classes may include lecture, video presentations, discussion, and question-and-answer.