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play on words: Daily Summaries Delivered
by miss beth
Learning to read starts with learning to play. This is the podcast for parents and teachers of kids ages 0-8 who want to have FUN learning evidence backed early development and literacy strategies in a short amount of time. This is the podcast for the teacher who needs a bestie to ask questions to and the parent who wants to know the best developmental practices to implement in the 3 minutes a day they have. You're not alone. Ask your questions here. If I can't answer them, one of my friends will be on to help! There are so many confusing parts about the learning to read journey. Miss Beth is here to simplify it, affirm you are the best person to teach your child, and give you the confidence you need in the early childhood education years. This podcast is for fun, community and confidence making tough topics more bite sized for every parent teacher and child.
Latest Episodes
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- 1 weeks ago22 min
The Hidden Skills Your Child Needs to Thrive in Kindergarten (Beyond Reading)
Episode 89. In this episode, Beth breaks down what kindergarten readiness actually looks like and why reading is just one small piece of the puzzle. She walks through the practical skills children need before they start kindergarten, why an extra year doesn't automatically make reading easier, and what parents can do right now this summer to set their child up for confidence and success on day one. Join us for Big City Summer! LINKED HERE [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/summer-reading-program] What you'll learn * Why your child does not need to enter kindergarten already reading and what the research actually says * Why the brain is not naturally wired to learn to read (and what that means for your child) * Whether holding your child back an extra year will actually make reading easier * The concept of print skill most parents overlook, and how to check if your child has it * A practical checklist of kindergarten readiness skills across literacy, fine motor, social, and self-care * Why emotional readiness and excitement about school may matter more than academic skills * How co-regulation and the way you talk to your child shapes how they talk to themselves * What to practice with your child this summer to build confidence before the first day Topics science of reading, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, concept of print, phonemic awareness, rhyming, fine motor skills, school readiness, redshirting, structured literacy, kindergarten, parent tips social-emotional learning, letter recognition About the host [https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#m_-6264131072083826637_] Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies.
- Apr 10, 202621 min
What Your Child's Report Card Actually Means
Episode 88: In this episode, Beth breaks down one of the most anxiety inducing moments for parents: getting a report card or teacher feedback that says your child is struggling with reading, but not really explaining why. She walks through what vague report card language actually means, the five questions every parent should ask their child's teacher, and simple at-home checks you can do right now to figure out exactly where your child is and how to help. * What "declining" really means on a report card (hint: it's not what most parents think) * Why report cards in K–2 are broad skill buckets, and how to get more specific information * What to do if your child's teacher says they should "get tested" * The five questions to ask your child's teacher for real clarity * How to do a simple at-home reading and writing check in under 10 minutes * Why writing reveals what reading can hide * What phonemic awareness and blending actually look like and how to spot gaps Topics science of reading · phonemic awareness · phonics · early literacy · report cards · reading struggles · parent advocacy · blending · structured literacy · kindergarten · first grade Links Mentioned Kindergarten Ready [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/kindergarten-ready] First Grade Bootcamp [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/first-grade-bootcamp] Kinder & First Grade Beginning Middle & End of Year Guide [https://bigcityreaders.myflodesk.com/skill-checklist] About the Host Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies. Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @BigCityReaders Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com
- Mar 20, 202621 min
Understanding Your School's Reading Curriculum
Episode 87: In this episode, Beth answers one of the most common questions she gets from parents: What reading curriculum should I be looking for and how to I know what my school uses? She breaks down why reading is not a natural process, what phonological awareness really means, and what to look for in a strong reading curriuclum program (plus red flags that a curriculum may be doing more harm than good.) * Why curriculum matters and the different types of curriculum schools can use * What to do if your child's curriculum isn't working * What phonological awareness is and why it predicts reading success * How to evaluate your child's school reading curriculum * What parents of struggling readers and kids with dyslexia need to know * How fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary all fit together Topics science of reading · phonological awareness · structured literacy · reading curriculum · phonics instruction · dyslexia · early literacy · reading fluency · parent questions about reading Links Mentioned Kindergarten On-Demand [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/kindergarten-ready] First Grade On-Demand [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/first-grade-bootcamp] 2nd & 3rd Grade On-Demand [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/mastering-spelling-rules] Play on Words Episode 52: [https://tinyurl.com/n3b9nxkv] 3 Cuing and Reading Struggles [https://tinyurl.com/n3b9nxkv] About the Host Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies. Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @BigCityReaders Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com
- Feb 25, 202622 min
Sight Words Aren't the Problem
Episode 86: In this episode, literacy expert Miss Beth breaks down the biggest misconceptions about sight words and reveals what the science of reading actually tells us about how children learn to read. Beth explores orthographic mapping (the brain-based process behind how readers store and recognize words) and explains why phonics and phonemic awareness are non-negotiable foundations for early literacy. Whether you're a parent or teacher, you'll walk away with practical, research-backed strategies for teaching high frequency words and building confident, capable readers. Grab our brand new resource, Sight Word Mastery for Kindergarten! Play on Words listeners can use the code POWFAN12 for $12 off (valid through 2/27/26). Click Here [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/kinder-sight-word-mastery] https://www.bigcityreaders.com/kinder-sight-word-mastery In this episode: * Why traditional sight word instruction may be holding kids back * What orthographic mapping is and why it matters * How decoding skills accelerate reading development * Actionable strategies you can use today If you care about early literacy and want to give children the best start in reading, this episode is a must-listen. About the Host: Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies. Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com
- Feb 13, 202648 min
Is Your Own Nervous System the Secret to Happy, Resilient Kids? with @JennieMonness
Episode 85: In this episode, Beth is joined by Jennie Monness (@jenniemonness), early childhood educator and founder of Union Square Play, who shares insightful strategies for parents navigating big feelings, regulation, and self-compassion. We explore how understanding your own nervous systems, modeling vulnerability, and embracing imperfections can transform our approach to parenting and self-care. Key topics: • The importance of recognizing that parents and children are both "first-timers" in this journey • How dysregulation impacts the entire family and ways to build frustration tolerance • The concept that feelings last approximately 90 seconds and how to use this knowledge in real moments • Practical tips for incorporating meditation and mindfulness into busy parent routines • The significance of repair, connection, and modeling self-compassion after conflicts • Understanding and respecting individual temperaments, sensitivities, and triggers • The role of intentional language and the power of honesty about learning and uncertainty • The impact of cultural and developmental histories on parenting and self perceptions • Light-hearted stories highlighting the humor and messiness of parenting About the Host: Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies. Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com
- Feb 5, 202622 min
Progress Over Perfection: When Spelling Errors Are a Good Sign
Episode 84: A parent of a second grader recently asked a question I hear all the time: "Do I need to care that much about spelling if my child is improving—even if there are still lots of errors?" Her child recently started spelling MY correctly (it used to be MI), which is real progress—but the writing sample still includes plenty of misspellings. The child wrote it independently, without adult prompting, and that raised an honest question: Should we correct spelling every time? Or is there a moment where confidence matters more than accuracy? In this episode, I break down: • What gradual improvement in spelling actually looks like in second grade• Why MY instead of MI is a meaningful developmental leap• The difference between practice writing and performance writing• When spelling accuracy does matter—and when it really doesn't• Why over-correcting can shut kids down as writers• How to "hold kids accountable for what they've learned" without nitpicking• What spelling errors can tell us about phonics, orthography, and growth• Whether it's controversial to care less about spelling sometimes We'll talk about how spelling develops over time, how it connects to reading, and how parents can support progress without turning every writing moment into a correction session. If you've ever wondered: • "Am I being too chill about spelling?"• "Should I fix this… or let it go?"• "Is my child behind—or just learning?" This episode will give you clarity—and permission to focus on what actually matters. Links Mentioned: Episode 54 "When do I start correcting my child's spelling?" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/play-on-words/id1689430556?i=1000674429262 Episode 77 "How to correct your child's spelling without crushing their confidence" https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kOasZMODEnnv68TNsj0kL?si=XtyxlUSCSHmzONrdynaxpQ About the Host Miss Beth is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and the founder of Big City Readers. She supports parents in raising confident, capable kids through research-backed literacy and development strategies. Follow Miss Beth: • Instagram: @bigcityreaders • Website: bigcityreaders.com [http://bigcityreaders.com/] • Podcast: Play on Words from Big City Readers
- Jan 23, 202636 min
Why Kids Can't Read
Episode 83. In this episode of Play on Words, reading specialist and early childhood educator Beth Gaskill discusses overcoming perfectionism, rejection sensitivity, and learning to advocate for your child's education during America's literacy crisis.Beth explores the alarming statistics behind the U.S. reading crisis — 67% of fourth graders cannot read proficiently — and shares the success story of Mississippi's reading instruction reforms. Mississippi's evidence-based approach to teaching reading, including intensive teacher training in phonics and the science of reading, has transformed student outcomes and proves that reading failure is preventable.This episode is essential listening for parents of struggling readers, those struggling with fear of rejection, and anyone who wants to understand how to advocate for better reading instruction in schools. Whether you're concerned about dyslexia, phonics instruction, or your child's literacy development, this conversation offers practical strategies and hope. ⸻ In This Episode About Reading Advocacy and Literacy Crisis, You'll Learn: Why perfectionism holds parents back from advocating for their children's education How rejection sensitivity and ADHD can make it harder to ask for help What Mississippi's reading reforms teach us about science-based reading instruction and phonics Why evidence-based reading instruction (structured literacy) is critical for all students How to overcome fear of rejection when advocating for your struggling reader Practical steps to build confidence in educational advocacy, starting small Mentioned in This Episode:Big Feelings, Bigger Reactions: Parenting Kids With ADHD [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/play-on-words/id1689430556?i=1000740217537] ⸻ About the HostBeth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies. Follow Miss Beth:Instagram: @bigcityreaders Website: bigcityreaders.com [http://bigcityreaders.com/] Podcast: Play on Words from Big City Readers
- Jan 8, 202636 min
Letting Kids Be Bored (Without Feeling Like a Bad Parent) with Lizzie Assa
Episode 82. What do you do when your child says, "I'm bored" — and why does that moment feel so hard? In this episode of Play on Words, Beth Gaskill sits down with Lizzie Assa (@theworkspaceforchildren), early childhood educator, parenting strategist, and founder of The Workspace for Children, to talk about her upcoming book But I'm Bored! [https://amzn.to/3NaKnHl] https://amzn.to/3NaKnHl Together, they explore why boredom isn't something parents need to fix, how independent play builds confidence and creativity, and what it actually looks like to step back without guilt. This conversation is practical, research-aligned, and grounded in real life — not perfection or Pinterest setups. If you've ever felt pressure to constantly entertain your child, this episode offers permission (and tools) to do things differently. ⸻ In This Episode, You'll Learn: • Why "I'm bored" is an opportunity, not a problem • What independent play really means (and what it doesn't) • How to support play without over-directing or hovering • Why stepping back helps kids — and parents — thrive ⸻ About the Host Miss Beth is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and the founder of Big City Readers. She supports parents in raising confident, capable kids through research-backed literacy and development strategies. Follow Miss Beth: • Instagram: @bigcityreaders • Website: bigcityreaders.com [http://bigcityreaders.com/] • Podcast: Play on Words from Big City Readers
About play on words
Learning to read starts with learning to play. This is the podcast for parents and teachers of kids ages 0-8 who want to have FUN learning evidence backed early development and literacy strategies in a short amount of time. This is the podcast for the teacher who needs a bestie to ask questions to and the parent who wants to know the best developmental practices to implement in the 3 minutes a day they have. You're not alone. Ask your questions here. If I can't answer them, one of my friends will be on to help! There are so many confusing parts about the learning to read journey. Miss Beth is here to simplify it, affirm you are the best person to teach your child, and give you the confidence you need in the early childhood education years. This podcast is for fun, community and confidence making tough topics more bite sized for every parent teacher and child.
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