Our brains are a special, complex tool that we use everyday.  Our brains are hardwired to learn so many things naturally, however reading is not one of those.  Reading is best and most effectively taught with explicit instruction, modeling, and exposure to a rich variety of print. A strong foundation in oral laungage helps future readers get off to a great start.  Below are articles that discuss the research behind our brains and how they learn to read, the different developmental stages of reading, and ways you can help improve your child's oral langauge ablities.