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.
Samantha Chow
Samantha is a Bachelor of Education student in the Teaching Children cohort, at UBCO. She had previously completed a Bachelor of Arts major in Psychology and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education at UBC. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to work with children coming from a variety of cultures and learning abilities. This has allowed her to continue to develop her pedagogical stance which sides on the development of connection between peers through kindness and discovery of one’s self. Within the home and classroom this can be achieved in a multitude of ways including reading, modelling, and practice.
Her experiences include running programs in local communities, running events for more diverse populations, and care with children. She has been continuously inspired to learn more and create opportunities for children to enjoy learning.
In her free time, Samantha enjoys a good thriller book and enjoying the outdoors through a variety of sports and activities. She believes that one of the best ways to enjoy life is to sit in the sun, have a fruity drink, and to have a book that can transport you to a whole other world.
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!
Zoe Preston
Zoe is going into her fourth year at UBCO, majoring in Psychology. She has enjoyed her time combining her love for the outdoors, recreation and teaching in her previous jobs coaching volleyball, ski instructing and working at summer camp. Zoe hopes to always create a fun and inviting workspace no matter where that may take place.
Her passions for child development and educational psychology stem from her personal experiences growing up as a neurodivergent learner. Zoe struggled with phonological processing whilst growing up. Working on her reading skills with family helped her feel more connected to them and she developed a love for reading. She believes that leading by example and connecting with students who may have similar struggles as she once faced can make them feel more understood and accepted. Zoe aspires to help students to build confidence in their skills and themselves.
Outside of school, she loves skiing and snowboarding in the winter in addition to backcountry camping and canoeing on the lake in the summer.
Phoebe Hodgson
Phoebe Hodgson (she/they) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UBC Okanagan majoring in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, and minoring in Psychology. In their free time, Phoebe enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and being outside. Following her current degree, she plans to pursue a Bachelor of Education. Phoebe believes that reading means connecting. Whether that connection be with one’s parents, community, culture, oneself, new ideas, or a made-up world with aliens and dragons, all reading connects us to something!
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