title: In search of a science-based application: a learning tool for reading acquisition.
abstract: This is a story about the fate of a psychological application: from its conception to the optimistic vision surrounding its future. We hope that this application - an enjoyable learning game (www or mobile phone-based, available free of charge to the end users) for children - can at best help millions of children in their reading acquisition in the future. Its basis was created by following intensively the development of children with (N = 107) and without (N = 92) genetic (familial) risk for dyslexia from birth to puberty in the Jyväskylä Longitudinal study of Dyslexia (JLD)-project. We summarize some of the major findings of the JLD in order to facilitate understanding of the reasons and logic behind the development of the game. Originally intended as a research tool for reading acquisition, its potential for prevention of reading difficulties was quickly recognized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. heikki.lyytinen@psyka.jyu.fi
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lyytinen
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erskine
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kujala
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ojanen
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D007858:Learning; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011932:Reading