How do we learn to read?

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Vermont Public

Nature, Language, Kids & Family, Science

4.4 • 4.9K Ratings

🗓️ 28 July 2023

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

11-year-old Alaska (from Colorado) wants to know: why do some kids love reading while others don’t? We know there’s a lot of debate lately about the best ways to teach kids how to read. But in this episode we leave the pedagogy to adults and let kids share with one another why they love to read and their best tips for kids like them, who may be struggling to learn (and love) to read. Plus, guest Fumiko Hoeft, medical doctor and professor at the University of Connecticut and at the University of California San Francisco, lifts the lid on our brains to explain what’s happening inside us when we learn to read. Dr. Hoeft runs a brain imaging research program and a lab called BrainLENS.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	But why? A podcast for curious kids is known for serious answers to silly questions sent
0:07.0	in by kids just like you. But did you know that but why is now a book series?
0:12.9	Our first book, Our Lama's Ticklish, answers questions from real kids about farm animals.
0:18.8	This colorfully illustrated book is perfect for kids ages 8-10. And our second book,
0:24.4	To Fish Breathe Underwater, explores the underwater world of the ocean. Learn more at
0:29.3	But Why Kids.org slash books.
0:54.4	This is But Why. A podcast for curious kids from Vermont Public. I'm Jane Lindholm. On
0:59.7	this show, we take questions from curious kids just like you and we find answers.
1:05.3	Our questions today are all about reading.
1:08.5	Hello, my name is Alaska. I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and I am 11 years old.
1:14.6	And my question is, why do some kids like reading and other kids don't like reading?
1:20.5	Wow, that's a great question. And it turns out it's actually really complex. Some kids
1:26.4	love reading from the start, some kids struggle with reading and learn to love it over time,
1:31.1	and some kids never really develop a love of reading. You might not know this, but there's
1:36.3	been a lot of conversation and pretty fierce debate over the last few years in adult
1:41.3	circles about the best ways to teach kids how to read. That's important stuff for adults
1:48.3	to debate, but we thought today we would steer clear of the controversy and focus on
1:53.4	what you can tell each other about the joys and challenges of reading and share tips you
1:58.6	have for other kids as you all work at becoming better readers. But I have to warn you, when
2:04.5	we asked you to send us your tips, more than 70 of you took us up on the challenge. So
2:09.7	this episode is a little long. You might want to take a break when we take a break about
2:15.3	halfway through and listen to the rest tomorrow or who knows, maybe you'll blast right through.
	...

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