Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter 1: Learning From Birth to 2 Years
Chapter 2: Rapid Learning for 2- and 3-Year-Olds
Chapter 3: Preparing for This World at Age 4
Chapter 4: School Routines and Rapid Learning for 4- and 5-Year-Olds
Chapter 5: Preparing for Reading at Ages 4–6
Chapter 6: Teaching for Reading in First Grade
Chapter 7: Second-Grade Readers
Chapter 8: Transition Time for Third-Grade Readers
Chapter 9: Assessing and Responding to Readers With Disabilities
Chapter 10: Teachers and Students as Learning Partners
Chapter 11: Conclusion: A Dozen Key Learnings
Appendix A: Continuum of Developmental Benchmarks: Birth to Age 5
Appendix B: Cognitive Skills for Learning
Appendix C: Quick Reference Guide for Memory Systems
Glossary
References and Resources

About the Author

Pamela Nevills is first and foremost a teacher of children and adults. Her passion for teaching includes a full range of educator experiences from teaching in the primary grades, to teaching middle and high school, to being a teacher supervisor and instructor in university undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. She participates in local, state, and national educational committees in the area of special education. As a two-time member of the instructional textbook selection committee for reading in the state of California, she brings expert knowledge of how children learn to read, and the materials teachers can use to follow the science of reading.

Her passion for the cognitive and neurological aspects of reading stems from interactions with Dr. Pat Wolfe. Nevills is a national and international speaker and consultant on topics that include reading standards according to the Common Core; brain development from infancy to adulthood; all aspects of cognitive, neurological involvement for reading; and school management and design for teaching reading. Writing became a part of Nevills’s work as she published for newsletters, the state of California, the Journal of Staff Development, and Corwin. Her involvement also includes research and studies for church organizations and an advisory board position for preschool.

To contact Pamela Nevills, please email panevills@earthlink.net..

Reviews

"The explanation of the brain’s processes and growth across early childhood helps the experienced reading teacher understand how some readers have developed good strategies while others ignore essential cues and struggle.  For those newer to teaching, the idea that so many parts of the brain have to work in concert to coordinate the reading process provides a glimpse into the work teachers must do to support young children in achieving the level of literacy necessary for success. It takes expertise and systematic planning to support readers who have a variety of strengths and weaknesses. This book provides why readers may struggle and what strategies and support might be just what the neuroscientist ordered!"  
*Carol Gallegos*

"This book can be utilized as a functional tool for parents and teachers to better support our young children in the beginning of their reading skill acquisition and individual literacy journeys. In fact, I believe that the relevancy of content throughout the book is one of its major strengths. Needless to say, this is an important topic, and I am certain that the support provided to parents and teachers through it will serve young students well. Additionally, I believe that the book provides practical, realistic, and useful guidance to achieve its desired outcome."
*Lauren A. Sousa-Coladonato*

"This book is more important than ever. So many school districts need to bring the science of reading to the forefront in light of our current assessments with NAEP, SATs, and state testing. We need a book like this to engage teachers in a meaningful and engaging way. Its importance and relevancy is extremely clear. During the pandemic, our students lost a great deal of progress and development in reading. This book provides the importance of brain development, reading, speaking, and writing in a practical way for any educator."
*Brian E. Fernandes*

"Building the Young Reader′s Brain provides an in-depth look at the development of the young brain from birth to age eight and moves from verbal language development to reading. You will discover brain-friendly strategies that contribute to reading success and how to provide immediate applications through play, music, games, and more. There is a tremendous amount of valuable information in this book. You will return to again and again to deepen your understanding of the young brain and its acquisition and development of language as preparation for reading. 
*Lisa Sousa*