What do we actually know about reading?

Reading is a complex and "interrelated" facet of our lives.

There are many theories that have contributed to our overall understanding of reading. Chapters 5,6, and 7 of the Lenses on Reading book describes and synthesizes some of the major theories that surfaced from the early to mid 1900's that have contributed to our current understanding of reading, cognitive development, and cognitive processing. Although many of the theorists disagree as to what age or stage children are developmentally ready to read or are able to read.......All of the theories such as Piaget, Maturation, Holdaway's, Stage Model, Emergent Literacy, and Family Literacy raise similar questions and attempt to answer the following:

• What are characteristics or behaviors of early readers?
• What are the processes, stages, experiences, or interactions in which children learn how to read?
• When do most children learn how read?
• Where does this understanding of reading take place?
• How do children develop an understanding of reading?

These chapters addressed some really important elements of reading that has pushed me to challenge my own understanding or reading. First, I questioned what theory I related to the most as a child and as an educator. Second, I questioned which theory I thought was most prevalent to the way I approach reading today at home and in the classroom. Lastly, I began thinking about how I can blend elements of all some of the theories to somehow create my own theory or understanding of reading. I decided that it still needed to do some more reading and research.

What I actually know about literacy is as follows:

• Reading, listening, speaking, and writing are four component of reading and they are all interrelated.
• Experiences and social interactions that we have early in life affect our ability to read
• All children go through phases (stages) of reading.
• Families affect reading development.

What I would actually love to learn more about reading development:

• Is reading an innate ability?
• Are there parts of reading that occurs naturally?
• (I remember this issue being raised in the chapters)