Good Sensory Learning Blog

The spoken word gives human’s an incredible advantage over other species, but for those that struggle with language processing, this “invisible difficulty,” can create countless challenges. What’s more, this problem often goes unnoticed and many of these students are misunderstood and mislabeled as inattentive, careless, lazy absent-minded, and defiant.  What is a Language Processing Disorder? Language processing disorders are not uncommon, and it is a difficulty that impacts communication and social relations. This disorder can impact a student’s ability to understand language (receptive language) and/or express their thoughts (expressive language). Like many cognitive based challenges, it can manifest in a...

I am so pleased to feature this insightful and informative blog by early literacy and reading specialist, Nancy Platt!  Nancy worked as a children's librarian for 15 years at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut, and she is passionate about multisensory and play-based early education. Currently residing in the Dominican Republic, Nancy is furthering her expertise in advocacy, language acquisition, and bilingual education. If you have a child or a student with reading problems or dyslexia, you may be surprised to know that using songs and music can help! When children are babies and toddlers, parents and caregivers often sing and recite...

What is Rapid Automatic Naming? Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN)—also known simply as rapid naming—is the ability to quickly name a sequence of familiar items such as letters, numbers, colors, or common objects. Research consistently shows a strong correlation between RAN and reading ability. Why? Because the faster and more efficiently a person can retrieve information from memory, the easier it is to decode and comprehend written text. How Does RAN Work in the Brain? Although RAN’s impact on reading is well documented, researchers continue to explore exactly how it influences literacy. Three main theories have emerged: Phonological Retrieval Theory   This...

The human brain, a marvel of nature's engineering, is often discussed in terms of its two distinct hemispheres, each with its unique strengths. Bridging these cerebral continents is the corpus callosum, a superhighway of nerves that facilitates interhemispheric communication. Yet, this pathway isn't always trafficked to its full potential. The common discourse around being 'right-brained' or 'left-brained' suggests many of us navigate life tapping into just half of our cerebral potential. But imagine the possibilities if we could harness the full spectrum of our brain's capabilities, merging the analytical with the artistic, the logical with the intuitive. By learning to...

What are Executive Functions? Executive functions, or what I like to call the conductor of the brain, are the process of the mind gathering together and making sense of all the information we receive from our instruments or senses. Helping us to create meaning from what we see, hear, touch, taste, and experience, executive functions also allow us to focus our attention, learn and think about new information, and make connections to what we already know.   The Three Parts of Executive Function Executive function is not fully understood in the literature, and studies continue to explore this complex skill. However,...