Transitioning from beginner level books to the smaller font of young adult titles can seem overwhelming to some readers. There’s no step in between to prepare them for standard print. Large print can serve as that steppingstone as well as provide an alternative to digital formats. Here are a few ways large print can benefit readers of all ages and abilities:
Maintain focus. While technology can encourage student engagement, it may also be distracting to some readers. A growing number of studies suggest memory and reading comprehension are better when material is consumed through print versus digital means.3 Text on paper is more easily navigable; words occupy a physical space and location recall is associated with meaning cognition.4
Reduce eye strain. Along with a larger font and more white space between sentences, large print books from Thorndike Press feature a serif typeface. This often improves legibility, and provides breathing room for the eye, which in turn can help reduce eye fatigue during extended periods of reading.5
Lessen digital dependence. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, eight- to eighteen-year-olds spend an average of 7.5 hours in front of a screen each day.6 This print strategy gives students a break from their reliance on digital devices in and out of the classroom. That’s something parents can appreciate, too!