Introduction

Teaching students academic areas of achievement such as reading fluency and comprehension as well as writing can be a challenging task, particularly when the cause of the difficulty lies in cognitive processing weaknesses. Effective schooling depends on multiple processes working simultaneously, and when one falters or does not work to a degree of automaticity, learning becomes labor intensive. Rapid automatic or automated naming (RAN) is one of these foundational or developmental cognitive skills. In fact, when RAN is an area of weakness, it can become a common trip wire that snags student success. RAN is a common deficit for children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Luckily, research now suggests that RAN can be improved, that it affects academic achievement, and that it is one of the best predictors of reading fluency. 

What is Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN)? 

Have you ever had trouble remembering the name of something? Perhaps it was an animal you know well, but you just can't recall it. The ability to quickly recall information in one's head is RAN. For example, it's the ability to access from memory the name of an item, place, or even a girls name. RAN involves multiple cognitive processing areas used in symphony as it involves visual tracking, working memory, processing speed, sound symbol association, and automatic word retrieval. It is fast access from long-term memory to consciousness, the information that we need in the moment. In addition, it involves subconscious memory skills that match or pair images with words, keeps thinking fluid, and helps with concentration and focus. RAN also establishes easy-to-access neural pathways that assist with memories of objects, characters, themes, stories, images, sentences, and core academics such as the alphabet, symbols, and numbers.

What is Processing Speed?

Processing speed refers to the time it takes for one to respond to and/or process information in the environment. Processing speed is an important skill since it allows students to think and learn with greater efficiency.

What is Tracking?

Tracking is the ability to move one's eyes smoothly across the page and from one line of text to another. This publication is arranged with rows of items in a set order so that players can also exercise this needed skill for reading text and documents.

How Can This Publication Help? 

For those that struggle with rapid naming, visual processing and perception, processing speed, word finding difficulties, visual attention, sound-symbol association, and tracking, these online resources serve as memory games that can help to strengthen abilities through fun and entertaining activities. This cognitive tool can be used with an individual child or pairs of toddlers, preschoolers, or older kids that are motivated by competition. They can even be used with adults.  Each resource page offers a list of pictures that is much like a memory game or matching game.

Who Can Use This Resource?

This resource can be used by:

  • Learning specialists
  • Educational therapists
  • Speech and language pathologists
  • Teachers
  • Practitioners
  • Homeschoolers/parents

What is the Best Way to Use These Resources? 

You can use the range of resources with learners in online and in-person sessions. Be sure to introduce each activity as a game, so students "play" as they work their way through each picture. In addition, you can track player progress with the downloadable Growth Tracker found in Module 2.

The Benefits of This Resource Library:

  • Access all the lists of images in one easy, accessible location. 
  • Keep track of student progress with the downloadable resources found in Module 2.
  • Reduce the cost and clutter of printing and storing materials. You don't have the burden of handouts, flash cards, or toys.
  • Minimize preparation time as all the materials are here and ready to go.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Module 1: Begin Here!

    • 🟩 Introduction:

    • How to Use This Resource and Directions

    • References

  • 2

    Module 2: Activities Table for Growth Tracking

    • The Growth Tracker

  • 3

    Module 3: Strategies for Improving Rapid Automatic Naming and Processing Speed

    • 🎥 Establishing Conscious Learning and Memory Strategies for Improved Memory

    • Nixing Rote Memorization for Conscious Learning

  • 4

    Module 4: RAN and Processing Speed Activities

    • 🟧 Shapes and Colors

    • 🟧 Letters, Numbers and Symbols

    • 🟧 Sight Words

    • 🟧 Animals & Objects

FAQ

  • Are the activities downloadable?

    This resource offers an organized and easy-to-access library of materials for both online and in-person sessions. As a result, the activities are not downloadable.

  • How can this publication help?

    For those that struggle with rapid naming, visual processing, processing speed, word finding difficulties, sound symbol association, and tracking, these digital activities can help to strengthen these abilities through fun and entertaining activities. In addition, the product offers a growth tracker as well as video and written instruction on to teach students new ways of encoding information for improved retrieval.

  • Can more than one person use this account?

    Please note that each purchase of this course is for a single practitioner, teacher, or family. Group or institutional discounts are available by contacting Dr. Warren: erica@learningtolearn.biz. Please note: If login information is shared with others, multiple IP addresses will be apparent and the subscription will be discontinued.

  • How can I keep track of each of my students?

    This publication offers a growth-tracker download to help document student progress.

  • What is Included?

    This resource offers a selection of 49 activities that exercise Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN), processing speed, tracking, and vocabulary skills. In addition, instruction on memory strategies and conscious learning is also offered so that students can learn how to encode information in a way that improves recall speed and accuracy. All the activities are located in Module 4 and are designated with an orange square 🟧.

  • How are the activities presented?

    All the activities are presented as slides and can be used on any computer, laptop, or tablet.

  • How do I cancel my subscription?

    Your subscription will be active and will assess a yearly fee until you cancel it. You can cancel your own membership, from "My Account Billing." Just select "Cancel" for that subscription. When you cancel a membership, you will have access to the content until the next renewal or billing date.

Shapes and Colors

In this module, students will practice quick recall for shapes, colors as well as shapes and colors.

Sight Words

In this module, students practice quick recall for the 100 most common sight words. Students can create memory strategies for any difficult ones. Instruction on this technique is offered in the course.

Animals and Objects

In this module, students work on quick recall of a diverse array of things/objects such as animals, transportation, food, household goods, tools, school supplies, and more.

Letters, Numbers and Symbols

These activities work on letter names, letter sounds, capital vs lower case recognition, number names, direction symbols, and vowel vs consonant discrimination.

Colors

Students can practice their colors and develop memory strategies for any difficult ones. Memory strategies are covered in the course.

Instructor(s)

Learning Specialist, Educational Therapist, Author of Educational Materials and Course Creator

Dr. Erica Warren

Dr. Erica Warren is an educational therapist, learning specialist, and executive functioning coach, but tells her students that she is much like a personal trainer for the brain and a magician because she offers fun exercises and tricks to make learning both fun and memorable. She is an avid blogger, vlogger, and podcaster and offers over 150 popular educational publications at Good Sensory Learning that include multisensory lessons, games, and activities for professionals and parents that help learners strengthen areas of weak cognition or academics while kindling a love for learning. She also presents teacher training courses and has a full-time practice in New York, Learning to Learn, where she empowers students of all ages to maximize their learning potential. Aspiring to empower “out of the box” learners, Dr. Warren created a degree program that united coursework and research in the fields of School Psychology, Special Education, Psychology, and Adult Education. With a full assistantship at the UGA Learning Disability Center in neuropsychological assessments, she pursued a doctorate that focused on life-long issues in learning, special education, the impact of learning difficulties across the lifespan, and comprehensive diagnostic evaluations. In addition, she earned a full assistantship with the National Science Foundation while working towards a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. Dr. Warren often refers to her bachelor’s degree in fine arts, “as my secret weapon, as it brings joy, color, and creativity into my sessions.”