S1-12. Neuroscience and early literacy: Dr. Bruce McCandliss
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Susan and Dr. Bruce McCandliss, a professor in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, chat about combining neuroscience with education. How does neuroscience help us understand the changes going on in the brain of a child learning to read? Why do some children struggle so profoundly? He shares his research into focusing the student’s attention on letters and sounds versus on the word as a whole.

**Quotes: **

“Teachers play a huge role in shaping brain development for reading.”

“This is where education and neuroscience are coming together to create a dialogue in the space of how we support children.”

Resources:

• Bringing Words to Life, Second Edition: Robust Vocabulary Instruction) by Isabel Beck
• Where Is Educational Neuroscience?) by John T. Bruer, PhD
• 2019 Education Trends) by Carrie Gajowski, MA
• Minds, Brains, and Learning: Understanding the Psychological and Educational Relevance of Neuroscientific Research) by James P. Byrnes
• Podcast discussion guide)
• Want to discuss the episode? Join our Facebook group Science of Reading: The Community).

Episode timestamps02:00: Introduction: Who is Bruce McCandless?02:00: Bruce's Journey into Early Literacy and Neuroscience05:00: Cognitive Science vs. Neuroscience07:00: Educational Neuroscience and Brain Development22:00: The Role of Teachers in Shaping Brain Development39:00: Future Directions in Educational Neuroscience45:00: Conclusion and TakeawaysTimestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute