What if the key to stronger readers isn’t more time, but better teaching?

In Episode 7 of Brainy Acts Literacy Blooms, we break down the Literacy Essentials every child needs—and show how to teach them using the Science of Reading (SOR), the evidence-promoted approach that actually aligns with how the brain learns.

This episode is designed for PreK–Grade 3 families, educators, childcare providers, and advocates who want to move beyond guesswork and into intentional, explicit instruction that builds real reading skills.

You’ll learn how to effectively teach:

• Alphabetics – phonemic awareness and phonics
• Fluency – reading with accuracy and expression
• Vocabulary – building meaning and language power
• Comprehension – thinking, understanding, and connecting

But here’s the game-changer: we don’t just explain what to teach—we show you how to integrate these Literacy Essentials into daily routines without adding more hours to your schedule. No overload. No burnout. Just smarter practices woven into everyday moments.

This episode empowers you to:

• Teach literacy with confidence and clarity
• Align instruction with brain-based research
• Foster joyful, meaningful, lifelong learning

Because literacy isn’t about drilling skills—it’s about building thinkers, readers, and confident learners for life. 🎙️📚

Before children can read words, they must understand sounds and letters—and how they connect. In this episode, we introduce Alphabetics (ABCs), our family-friendly way of explaining phonemic awareness and phonics.
You’ll learn why hearing sounds (phonemes) and matching them to letters is non-negotiable, how these skills develop, and how adults can support them through simple, proven practices. Evelyn English demonstrates activities you can use immediately—no fancy tools required.

Literacy is more than reading—it’s thinking, problem-solving, speaking, listening, and understanding the world. In this episode, we define literacy clearly and show how foundational skills build the brain.
You’ll see HQIM in action, learn how to properly handle books, and hear a full story demonstration using before, during, and after reading strategies. We explicitly connect foundational literacy to critical thinking—showing how intentional teaching prepares learners for school success and lifelong learning.
We close with a call to action, inviting families and educators to join us weekly and access HQIM that makes evidence-based literacy doable and sustainable.

If children can read the words but don’t understand them, literacy hasn’t done its job. This episode focuses on comprehension—the purpose of reading.
We connect all Science of Reading components, explain the role of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), and model lessons that make thinking visible. Listeners leave knowing how to support understanding, curiosity, and problem-solving—not just decoding.

Vocabulary isn’t memorization—it’s meaning. This episode unpacks how word recognition and accuracy work together to support confident reading.
We explore how conversation, storytelling, and intentional word use build comprehension long before children read independently. You’ll hear practical examples, demonstration lessons, and strategies that strengthen literacy while keeping learning joyful and human.

Fluency isn’t speed—it’s understanding. This episode unpacks how language development works to support confident reading.
We explore how conversation, storytelling, and intentional word use build comprehension long before children read independently. You’ll hear practical examples, demonstration lessons, and strategies that strengthen literacy while keeping learning joyful and human.