Early Reading and the Brain: Insights from Neuroscientist Dr Carolyn Strom

Here at Mrs Wordsmith, we’re big fans of Dr Carolyn Strom and her research on the physical transformation of the brain as we learn to read [1]. Why? Because it’s an area we’ve been researching ourselves for many years! Testament to our fascination with the science of reading, our CEO, Pierre Lagrange, recently attended one of Dr Strom’s lectures at Manhattan University [2]. Here are a few chosen moments from her fascinating talk on the scientific processes behind our brain’s ability to read.

The Reading Brain: A Cultural Invention

Unlike spoken language, which evolved naturally over tens of thousands of years, reading is a relatively modern skill that requires explicit instruction. Humans are not biologically wired for reading; rather, it’s a cultural invention that builds upon the brain's existing language capabilities. As Dr. Strom explains, reading instruction aims to connect spoken language to written language by linking meaningful words to individual sounds and letters.This process involves constructing a "reading brain" on top of the "speaking brain." Effective teaching methods must bridge these two systems, helping children translate spoken sounds into written symbols and vice versa.

The Brain City Metaphor

To make the neuroscience of reading more accessible, Dr. Strom introduces her "Brain City" metaphor. In this model, the brain is likened to a city with different districts that focus on specific aspects of information, that all come together to process written language:

• Sound City: This is where phonological processing happens, linking individual sounds to letters.
• Vision Villages: This is the area responsible for visual recognition of letters and words.
• Meaning Mountains: This is where the semantic aspects of words are processed, connecting them to their meanings.

These districts collaborate seamlessly to transform written symbols into meaningful language, highlighting the links within the brain that are required for proficient reading. The "Brain City" metaphor highlights how neural pathways between visual and auditory areas must be built to create an efficient reading network.

The Critical Window for Learning to Read

One of the most important takeaways from Dr. Strom’s research is her emphasis on brain plasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections. She explained that the optimal period for developing reading neural pathways is between ages three and eight when plasticity is at its peak. Early intervention during this window can significantly impact a child’s reading readiness and long-term proficiency.

Why Handwriting Matters

In an era dominated by keyboards and screens, Dr. Strom underscores the importance of handwriting in learning to read. Writing words by hand engages the brain in unique ways that support reading development. As she notes, “Writing words helps us read words because we’re training the circuit in two ways.” [2] Handwriting builds neural abilities for spotting familiar letters—a foundational skill for reading success.

Making Neuroscience Accessible

Dr. Strom’s use of storytelling and visual metaphors like "Brain City" show how complex scientific concepts can be made accessible to educators and families alike. By demystifying how the brain learns to read, she promotes evidence-based teaching methods such as systematic synthetic phonics. Here at Mrs Wordsmith, we’ve long been champions of evidence-based teaching methods. Our products feature funny characters up to all sorts of antics, but never for the sake of it – with everything we do, it’s about using things like comedy, repetition and visual learning to teach literacy in a more effective way.