You may have heard the term Science of Reading showing up in conversations about early education lately. School districts across Idaho and the country are adopting it. Parents are asking about it. And here at Little Roots Academy in Emmett, Idaho, it has been at the core of our literacy approach from the very beginning.

But what exactly is it, and why does it matter for your preschooler?

What Is the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading is not a single program or curriculum. It is a body of research spanning decades of studies from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and education that tells us how the human brain actually learns to read. What that research tells us is clear: children learn to read most effectively when they are taught phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension in a structured, systematic way.

At Little Roots Academy we use the Creative Curriculum framework to bring these principles to life in age appropriate, playful ways that feel natural for young learners.

Why It Matters in Preschool

The foundation for reading is built long before a child picks up a book. It starts with phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear and manipulate the individual sounds in words. When a child claps out syllables in their name, plays rhyming games, or identifies the first sound in a word, they are building the neurological pathways that reading depends on.

At Little Roots Academy in Emmett, Idaho, we incorporate Science of Reading aligned instruction into our daily routines through circle time, songs, read alouds, and hands on literacy activities that work together to build a strong foundation before children ever begin formal reading instruction in kindergarten.

What This Looks Like at Little Roots

In our classrooms, literacy is woven into everything. Children hear rich vocabulary through carefully chosen books during story time. They play with sounds through songs and rhymes. They practice letter recognition and early phonics through hands on activities designed to make the learning feel like play.

Our teachers are trained in Science of Reading principles and understand how to meet each child at their level, whether they are just beginning to recognize letters or are already starting to blend sounds together.

The Long Term Impact

Children who arrive at kindergarten with strong phonemic awareness and early phonics knowledge learn to read faster, more fluently, and with greater comprehension than children who do not. The research on this is consistent and compelling.

When you enroll your child at Little Roots Academy, you are not just choosing a preschool in Emmett, Idaho. You are choosing a literacy foundation that will support your child’s success for years to come.

Schedule your tour at littlerootsacademy.com or call (208) 970-9860