Blog Posts for Caregivers

with Dr. Ece Demir-Lira Director of the Development, Experience, and Neurocognition Lab Q&A

Supporting Early Literacy Through Everyday Interactions With Dr. Ece Demir-Lira

Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Dr. Ece Demir-Lira, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa, shares how caregivers can support their children's early literacy development.
woman reads to child sitting in her lap

How Teachers, Parents, and Friends Can Support Student Reading Motivation

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Researcher Daisy Pelletier discusses her work on student reading motivation and its implications for parents and teachers.
girl reads in her mother's lap

The Value of Reading Support From Teachers, Parents, and Friends

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Pelletier et al. (2024) examine different sources and forms of reading support and their impacts on students’ reading motivation.
teacher walks between her students' desks

Reading Assessments and Their Purposes

Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Throughout the school year, your child’s teacher may use universal screeners, diagnostic assessments, progress monitoring, and more to gain a deeper understanding of how to best support your child’s literacy development.
Two women work on laptops

Breaking Assistive Technology Myths

Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Assistive technology can allow students to fully realize their academic potential, but there are many misconceptions about it. Let’s review some common myths about AT!
Two IRRC employees hold books behind a banner reading "Dyslexia Awareness Book Recommendations"

Book Recommendations About and for Children With Dyslexia and Their Caregivers

Monday, October 2, 2023
To celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month, our assistive technology coordinators have curated a list of books by and about individuals with dyslexia.
father and daughter read together

Getting Ready for a New School Year With Assistive Technology

Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Follow this four-step guide to successfully implement assistive technology into your children's toolbox.
A speech bubble on a gold background reading "Q&A," below which is the text "with Kareem Weaver." Pictured is an adult man wearing a suit and tie.

Coming Together to Support Children’s Literacy with Kareem Weaver

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Educator and activist Kareem Weaver talks about the science of reading movement, the importance of collective action, and more.
A young girl and her mother smile at one another while selecting a book off of a crowded shelf.

Leveraging Your Local Library’s Literacy Resources

Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Make the most of your public library’s free resources to help support literacy learning in children and teens.
A microphone with fake yellow audio waves coming out to represent sound.

Listen Up: Five Stellar Science of Reading Podcasts Worth Trying

Tuesday, April 11, 2023
These podcasts offer an entertaining and engaging way to learn more about the science of reading.
A blonde woman wearing a pink sweater sits in front of a laptop. She is pushing her glasses onto her head while looking intently at the papers in her hand.

Scope and Sequence: What Is It, and How Do Educators Use It to Guide Instruction?

Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Learn how to gain an understanding of whether a literacy program provides systematic and thorough instruction for all students.
Mother and daughter washing dishes

Learning English with your Children and Teens: Using a Chore Chart to Practice Overall Fluency

Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Planning out the week’s chores provides an excellent opportunity to practice English skills.