CiiL is mainly focused on researching neurocognitive processes and on preventing reading difficulties of pre-readers and readers, making early interventions and thus seeking a successful acquisition of initial reading and writing skills (final year of Pre-School and first grade of the 1st cycle of Basic Education).

CiiL operates on three different levels: (i) assessment and intervention in schools regarding speaking and reading skills acquisition difficulties, (ii) training of pre-school teachers and primary teachers and (iii) research and publication of research outcomes.

In 2018, CiiL’s activity, due to a co-funded application – Integrated and Innovative Plan to Combat School Failure (PIICIE) from POR NORTE 2020 –, began operating in all Groups of Schools within the Municipality of Porto.