The problem is, with the loss of deep reading, the process of critical thinking goes with it! Shifts from rational, long-form books to short bursts of texts, TikTok, and Instagram videos have led to children and adults who have no patience with ideas that are complex or require more than a half minute of reading.

Teaching baloney detection to children (and adults!) is very important in today’s social, political, and AI internet environment. It is crucial in recognizing misinformation and disinformation.

Summer reading provides HUGE benefits for children of all ages, especially for the practice and the self-selection that it provides. Research indicates these two factors are the best predictors of good reading and writing skills.

Although most teachers primarily rely on simple recall, Richard Arlington has concluded that these six comprehension strategies are the most effective for students who need help understanding what they read.