Reading, Language, and Mathematics (ReaLM) Lab
Founded by Dr. Jessica Chan, the Reading, Language, and Mathematics (ReaLM) Lab aims to advance our understanding about children’s language and literacy development, and examine the role of literacy in academic learning for children from diverse backgrounds.
The ReaLM lab leads research projects that involves families with school-aged children across grades 1 through 6. In addition, Dr. Chan aims to bridge research to practice through knowledge translation within teaching in the B.Ed. and graduate education programs, and working with community partners to develop resources to enhance public awareness about early language and literacy development.
ReaLM conducts research on broad topics within the field of literacy education, including:
- Literacy development and academic learning
- Language-based disorders among English monolingual and multilingual students
- Family literacy processes and interventions to enrich the home language and literacy environment.
Some of the questions we address within our research projects include:
- What makes reading challenging for some children?
- How do literacy skills support math learning?
- What cognitive and linguistic skills relate to reading for children exposed to one or more languages?
- How does the home environment impact future academic success?
Improving children’s early reading development with new CFI funding
The funding from CFI will support Dr. Chan’s research program to apply a holistic approach in understanding children’s literacy development. Part of the award will go towards creating a family-friendly environment in the ReaLM Lab where children and caregivers can read and interact together naturally.
Get Involved!
The ReaLM Lab is currently seeking families of grade 2 and 3 children to participate in a study about activities in the home and children’s language, reading, and math skills.
What is involved?
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- Your child will work one-on-one with one of our team members on a series of language, reading, and math measures
- Your child will complete 3-4 sessions (45 minutes each) in-person at a time convenient for your family
- Parents/caregivers complete a short survey (online/paper) about activities at home (10-15 minutes)
- You may request a report of your child’s abilities
You will receive a $25 gift card in appreciation of your participation.
Indicate your interest online or email us at realm.lab@ubc.ca.
Projects and Partnerships
This project aims to enhance the home literacy environment for families with elementary-aged children by collaborating with the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) to create family resource literacy kits. These kits, focused on themes like Families, Nature, and Kindness, consist of books and activities designed to promote various literacy dimensions and encourage family engagement. By leveraging evidence-informed resources and community sessions, the project seeks to disseminate effective early literacy practices, increase accessibility to resources, and foster reading experiences at home.
The kits will be available for check-out at the downtown Kelowna library, 1390 Ellis St, starting mid-March. Families can also request to borrow the kit at the nearest Okanagan Regional library location.
This project is supported by a UBC Partnership Recognition and Exploration Grant
Special acknowledgements for Julia Magacho and Yukie Ueda for their contributions.
Meet the Team
Director of the Reading, Language, and Mathematics (ReaLM) lab
Dr. Jessica Chan (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Language Arts and Literacy Education in the Okanagan School of Education. Dr. Chan’s research focuses broadly on literacy development, why some students struggle with oral and written language, and how these language skills might impact learning in academic areas including mathematics. Her research aims to bridge the gap between research and practice to identify ways to facilitate early language and literacy serving the diverse families and learners across the Okanagan. Dr. Chan collaborates with community partners to develop literacy initiatives and resources that are family-focused and build public knowledge and understanding about reading development.
Research Assistants
We have a team of Literacy Education Specialists (Research Assistants) including both undergraduate and graduate students at UBCO across disciplinary backgrounds who have shared interests in child development, literacy, and diversity in education. They support ongoing research studies including research development and knowledge translation efforts in the community. They create a warm and welcoming environment for families and children participating in current studies.
Shane Andal
Shane (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Medical and Molecular Biochemistry and minoring in Psychology. With aspirations of attending medical school, Shane is determined to fulfil her dream of becoming a paediatrician, where she can make a difference in children’s lives. To her, literacy is the foundation to education and lifelong learning. She believes that literacy opens doors to opportunities, fosters confidence, and allows individuals to thrive in their lives. Through her involvement with various volunteer roles, she has witnessed firsthand the power of education and is dedicated to helping individuals thrive academically and personally.
Abigail Fletcher
Abigail Fletcher (she/her) is a first year graduate student in the Okanagan School of Education. Inspired by her experiences while pursuing her Bachelors degree, Abigail will continue to engage with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. She hopes to learn alongside Bilingual students to help inform future research. In the last few years, Abigail has spent her time teaching at an immigration and refugee center. She believes that language, literacy, and reading need to be multicultural, multilingual, and joyful to be successful.
In her free time, Abigail enjoys reading and playing sports.
Frances Radford
Frances Radford is a Bachelor of Arts student majoring in history and minoring in Political Science at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Frances has aspirations of entering into the Bachelor of Education program here at UBCO in the near future to fulfill her lifelong dream of being an educator! For Frances, reading is one of the most important skills and curiosities that an individual can take part in, not only does reading help us get through our day to day, but reading also teaches us new things, helps us ask and answer questions, informs us about events, helps us to learn a new skill and grow, reading also sparks imagination and curiosity. Reading is an essential part of our world and with that skill we can all do amazing things! Frances is constantly inspired by students and those that she works with and she firmly believes that we all have something to teach each other and that there are always new ways to learn and grow!
Frances has worked in a variety of educational settings including teaching swimming lessons, tutoring ESL learners, and working as an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Okanagan School of Education this past year. Frances is passionate about creating safe, welcoming and supportive educational spaces for students and fostering positive relationships with all. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog Sadie, swimming in the lake, and enjoying all that the beautiful Okanagan has to offer!
Anna Marie Anderson
Anna Marie (she/her) is a Bachelor of Education student in the teaching adolescents cohort at UBCO. Anna Marie is passionate about story telling and how it can be used to empower, uplift, and amplify the voices of learners.
Prior to attending UBCO, Anna Marie directed and produced award winning shows that celebrated the lives and journeys of young adults. Her focus was on themes such as coming of age, mental health, identity, and LGBTQ2S+ victories and struggles.
Why does literacy mean so much to her? Well, while she hopes everyone at some point gets to to feel the joy of a good book, a fuzzy blanket, and a hot cup of tea, literacy goes far beyond that. It fosters curiosity and the pursuit of answers, strengthens one’s voice and sense of self, and instills confidence that promotes self-advocacy.
Hannah Cramer-Law
Hannah (she/her) is a third-year undergraduate art student majoring in French. She plans to earn her bachelor of education with the Okanagan School of Education to become an elementary French immersion teacher. Hannah has had a passion for teaching for as long as she can remember because for her, being able to positively influence young students into being their best and kindest self, fills her heart. She believes literacy should be accessible for all and to do so, it’s important to make reading and writing fun. Reading allows you to explore new ideas and indulge in your wildest imaginations from the comfort of your couch, and what more could you ask for! In her free time, Hannah often finds herself volunteering at various schools in SD23, being involved in the teachers’ classrooms that have inspired her. She also enjoys spending time outside and finding new ways to be creative.
Danqi Li
Danqi (she/her) is a Bachelor of Arts student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science. Her research interests focus on children’s bilingual development and how executive functioning influences the literacy skills of bilingual children and adolescents. Danqi is dedicated to achieving her long-term career goal of becoming a clinician, researcher, and educator. To her, literacy is more than just the ability to read and write—it is a powerful tool for exploration, self-expression, and building connections across cultures. She believes that promoting literacy helps children unlock their potential, fostering curiosity, confidence, and resilience as they navigate the world around them. In her free time, she enjoys reading detective novels and traveling.
With appreciation to the previous members to the ReaLM Lab team:
- Phoebe Hodgson
- Samantha Chow
- Zoe Preston
Stay Connected
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Questions?
Email us at realm.lab@ubc.ca.
Support Acknowledgement
The Lab has received support from:
- Elevate & Mobilize EDI Research Grants in Education (EMERGE), Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia
- UBC Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund