Reading research
Two projects study the reading process of children.
1. Beginning reading and its difficulties
The aim is to study the process of reading acquisition and its obstacles as well as their predictors in extensive longitudinal settings. The group is part of the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Learning and Motivation Research (2006-2011; leader Professor Jari-Erik Nurmi, University of Jyväskylä).
Research Leader
Professor Pekka Niemi
Research Group
Elisa Poskiparta, Senior Researcher
Annarilla Ahtola, Doctoral Student
Eugenia Kerek, Doctoral Student
Ann-Christina Kjeldsen, Doctoral Student
Tiina Turunen, Coordinator
International Partners
Professor Åke Olofsson, Umeå universitet
Professor Rauno Parrila, University of Alberta, Canada
2. Development and promotion of comprehension skills and motivation in young children (Promo-project: Academy of Finland 2006-2009)
The aim of this longitudinal project is to examine the development of children's narrative comprehension and literacy skills as well as motivational tendencies from 4 to 6 years of age. In addition, we study the role of home literacy factors and teachers' book reading strategies in supporting children's learning motivation and comprehension skills.
Research Leader
Academy Research Fellow Janne Lepola
Research Group
Maria Peltonen, Research Assistant
Tanja Salmela, Research Assistant
Mirjamaija Mikkilä-Erdmann, Assistant Professor
Research Collaborators
Professor Pirjo Korpilahti
Professor Maarit Silvén
Professor Scott G. Paris, University of Michigan, USA
Professor Geerdina van der Aalsvoort, Utrecht University, Netherlands