The World has made it through the COVID-19 pandemic, but now we have seen another epidemic hit America: Literacydemic. What does that mean? We are sounding the alarm on this crucial problem: literacy decline. Did you know 67% of American fourth-grade children do not meet reading proficiency assessments?

However, the problem starts even early; 47% of kindergarteners aren’t on track to becoming readers. Findings indicate that gaps in kindergarten readiness relate to a later lack of achievement in elementary school. New research finds that children who learn more in kindergarten earn more as adults and are more successful overall.

As modern grandmas, we answer to a variety of names. Our young grandchildren might affectionately call us Mimi, Gaga, Nana, or even Grammy. But getting called “Alexa” or “Siri” might make you pause. Those three-year-olds consistently asking “Why?” typically get a patient and accurate response from Grandma, while frazzled parents might say, go ask Alexa. Although using technology can be a lifesaver, overuse of technology can mask the early signs of dyslexia.

From Sun Dials, Hourglasses, and Pendulum Clock to the current technology of Apple Watches, telling time has improved its accuracy. Throughout history, the development of clocks has played a significant role in improving various fields, from astronomy and navigation to science and industry. But in this crazy busy world, knowing how to tell times impacts our daily lives. Unfortunately, teaching time to grandchildren has become more challenging than ever, especially when those children are dyslexic thinkers.

The English language, by most standards, is challenging to learn. Spelling, in particular, is weird. Did you know that only English-speaking countries have “spelling bees?” Why, you ask? Because in other languages, spelling is more predictable. But spelling is about writing; language is about speaking. English features grammatical rules that are often broken, an alphabet that can confuse people who are used to a character-based system, and spelling and pronunciation irregularities that confuse even native speakers. So how do the little ones learn to speak?