the Challenge

Reading is the most difficult skill we learn in our lifetime

Millions of children have difficulty when it comes to reading. Reading places high demands on a set of complex, interrelated cognitive skills, all functioning in unison. Current reading programs and reading strategies do not directly address building the cognitive skills necessary to read effectively.

the Science

What do Fast ForWord products do?
-Learning MAPs ™

Reading and learning require a variety of cognitive skills that must function effectively in unison. Fast ForWord products develop Learning MAPs skills, critically important prerequisites for successful reading. When Learning MAPs are stronger, students are able to benefit from reading instruction.

What are Learning MAPs?

Memory- hold information and ideas short- and long-term; essential for word recognition, comprehension of complex sentences, and remembering instructions.
Attention- focus on tasks and ignore distractions.
Processing- see and distinguish images and sounds quickly enough to discriminate their differences; a prerequisite for phonemic awareness and reading.
Sequencing- a cognitive skill that relies on memory, attention, and processing, and is essential for phonics, word fluency, reading and oral comprehension.

the Method

How do Fast ForWord Products improve cognitive skills? FAST!

Frequency and intensity- brain plasticity research demonstrates that completing a set of learning tasks in a frequent, intense timeframe accelerates learning.
Adaptively- interactive exercises automatically adapt to individual skill levels and responses, adjusting the learner's content exposure and targeting correct responses approximately 80% of the time, which maintains challenge and motivates success.
Simultaneous development- each exercise focuses on a specific set of reading or language tasks and simultaneously develops underlying cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and processing.
Timely motivation- for the brain to learn, students must be active, attentive, and engaged. Rewards are provided on the first attempt only, a proven neuroscience motivation technique.