I recently had a thought-provoking conversation with a prominent California educator who introduced me to the concept of the Sciences in Reading—moving beyond the singular Science of Reading (SoR) to embrace a more holistic and multifaceted perspective.
She highlighted that MindPlay is “truly groundbreaking. It goes beyond the Science of Reading by embracing a more comprehensive, integrated approach—a true representation of the Sciences in Reading.”
She also pointed out a significant issue with how SoR is often implemented in districts: an overemphasis on phonics instruction, with some allocating 45 minutes or more daily to phonics alone. This approach neglects the critical application phase, where students use their skills meaningfully, connecting their learning to real reading experiences.
My conversation with her inspired this blog. It raised crucial questions about our nation’s approach to reading instruction, how we can better support students by embracing the full scope of the Science of Reading rather than focusing solely on phonics, and the specific impacts on emergent bilingual students.
Redefining Literacy Instruction
We are at a transformative moment in reading instruction. With over 40 states embracing the Science of Reading—a comprehensive, evidence-based approach—literacy education is undergoing a significant and impactful shift. While implementing SoR at scale requires effort, the benefits—improved literacy outcomes and empowered teachers—far outweigh the challenges. Thoughtful planning, robust professional development, and adequate resources are key to ensuring its success.
SoR emphasizes explicit, systematic instruction, focusing on foundational skills like phonics and decoding as essential steps toward comprehension and a love of reading. Far from limiting creativity, these skills unlock opportunities for students to confidently engage with diverse, meaningful texts. Schools can maintain a balanced and enriching curriculum by integrating literacy instruction across subjects and pairing structured lessons with engaging activities.
Why is it Transforming Reading Outcomes?
The Science of Reading enhances learning outcomes by offering an evidence-based framework for teaching reading that aligns with the brain’s natural process of learning written language. By focusing on scientifically validated methods, educators can more effectively address the diverse needs of students, particularly those who struggle with reading.
Phonics instruction is the gateway to higher-level comprehension and fluency. Mastery of phonics enables students to read with automaticity, build a rich vocabulary, and engage deeply with texts, laying a strong foundation aligned with the five pillars of reading. This approach helps identify and address reading difficulties early, providing targeted interventions to prevent students from falling behind.
But it goes beyond phonics. SoR aims to develop skilled, well-rounded readers by integrating decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Rooted in research and cognitive science, it focuses on how the brain learns to read and teaches effective strategies for diverse learners.
Evidence-based methods and educator training empower teachers to customize instruction based on student needs, leading to improved literacy outcomes. By implementing the SoR, schools are closing achievement gaps, easing frustration for struggling readers, and providing all students with the skills necessary for academic and lifelong success.
Is the Science of Reading More Than Just Phonics?
It encompasses so much more. It’s a complete framework combining decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension to create skilled, confident readers. Rather than being a single method, it draws on a wide range of research-based strategies. However, it is often misunderstood as solely focused on phonics, likely because of its emphasis on addressing the phonics gap left by other methods.
I like to think of Phonics as the foundation or slab of a solidly built literacy house. If the foundation is solid and strong, then when you add the other pieces of the house (pillars of reading), it will be strong and last a lifetime.
Approaches to reading instruction differ most significantly in how they address phonics. The SoR prioritizes phonics as a foundational element, teaching it explicitly and in a carefully structured sequence. This step-by-step approach ensures students can decode words independently and with confidence.
While comprehension is the ultimate goal, it is achieved only after students have developed strong decoding skills. By establishing this solid foundation, students are better prepared to understand, interpret, and engage with complex texts.
In contrast, other approaches prioritize comprehension and meaning-making from the start, even if students struggle with decoding. These approaches assume that engagement with meaningful texts will naturally lead to improved reading skills over time. The decision between the SoR and other reading frameworks isn’t merely a preference—it’s about ensuring every learner’s needs are met. SoR provides a systematic, evidence-based path to literacy, ensuring that even struggling students can succeed. While all approaches seek to cultivate a love of reading, some may overlook foundational gaps that impede progress.
Understanding these differences is essential for educators to make informed instructional decisions. The ultimate goal is to equip every student with the skills they need to read effectively and thrive as lifelong learners.
What’s MindPlay’s approach?
MindPlay Reading Studio fosters essential reading skills through a comprehensive, research-driven approach. It strengthens phonological awareness and decoding, reinforcing learning with systematic phonics instruction delivered by online coaches. Vocabulary and comprehension are enhanced with language-rich interactions and strategies such as inference and text structure analysis. The Personalized Library of culturally diverse texts provides students meaningful opportunities to apply their skills while connecting to various perspectives. What sets MindPlay apart is its ability to seamlessly combine personalized, evidence-based instruction with engaging, real-world applications, ensuring students not only master reading but develop a lifelong passion for learning.
Growing up in a bilingual household, I know firsthand the importance of strong reading instruction and relevant application in building a biliterate next generation. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your district’s literacy journey progressing, and what steps are you taking to ensure a balanced approach while supporting your English Learners? Feel free to contact me directly at victor@mindplay.com, or reach out to our Podcast team if you’d like to be a guest on our Literacy Mindset podcast.
