play on words

Welcome back! In this episode Miss Beth is joined by Naomi O'brien of Read Like A Rockstar Teaching. Naomi is an educator, science of reading coach, author, and curriculum developer. Join us as we dive into essential strategies for changing kids lives (and you can start at home this summer). A must listen for teachers and parents! In this episode, we cover:

• Summer Reading Tips: Practical activities to keep your kindergartener engaged and learning.
• Science of Reading: Understanding that it’s not just about phonics—explore the broader aspects of reading education.
• Timely Intervention: Why you shouldn't "wait it out" when it comes to your child's reading development.
• Parental Guidance: How you can support and boost your child's reading journey with fun and effective techniques.
• Naomi O'Brien's website: ⁠Read Like a Rockstar Teaching⁠
• Big City Readers website: ⁠Big City Readers⁠
• Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠
• Subscribe to our ⁠YouTube Channel⁠

Don't miss this insightful conversation filled with actionable advice and expert insights to help your child become a confident reader. Tune in now!Guest Bio:Naomi O'Brien is a dedicated educator, science of reading coach, author, and curriculum developer with a passion for literacy and early childhood education. Through her platform, Read Like a Rockstar Teaching, she empowers parents and educators with the tools and knowledge needed to support young readers.Resources Mentioned:Subscribe & Follow:Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with other parents and educators. Together, we can make reading fun and accessible for all children.

"Are we going to get canceled for saying this?" May or may not have been said multiple times in this honest conversations around school, daycare, learning to read, behavior, sleep and parenthood.

In this episode of the Play On Words my guest expert Rachel Shepard-Ohta of The No One Told Us Podcast and Hey Sleepy Baby and I chat about the myriad challenges and decisions that come with parenting, from the toddler years to daycare and school choices like is it time for kindergarten or what are red and green flags to look for.

Our discussion also touches on sensitive topics such as deciding between private and public schooling, postpartum anxiety around sleep, knowing when to switch schools, and whether a play-based preschool adequately prepares children for kindergarten.

Follow Rachel: instagram.com/heysleepybaby

Follow Beth: instagram.com/bigcityreaders

More info and freebies: bigcityreaders.com/podcast

Listener question: “How do I talk to my child’s veteran kindergarten teacher about them saying to memorize sight words, I don’t want to be rude.”

Let’s be clear: it’s not the teachers fault if they tell you to memorize words. They might not know! Teachers are expected to be an expert on every subject and that’s WILD to think in their free time they’re researching and teaching themselves everything. And then writing their own curriculum and often hiding that they’re doing it one they learn if their district hasn’t approved the switch yet 😳

Curriculum is not usually the decision of the teacher. I also was a teacher that thought this was how to teach kids how to read.

(I have a f r e e and easy guide for parents on the do’s and don’ts of sight words. Message @bigcityreaders on instagram the phrase: sight words and I’ll send it to you!)

4 tips on talking about this:

⚡️Remember you’re on a team- school admin, teachers, parents. We all have the same goal. We all want kids to succeed.

⚡️Be curious. Don’t go into a conservation with “I’m right” but I’m curious- “can you tell me more about the schools reading curriculum, this is new for me!” Be ready to learn more, not to have a “gotcha I know more than you” moment. Maybe we don’t have all the information. Maybe the school is in the process of changing. Maybe you are the first person bringing this to their attention.

⚡️Great schools LOVE when parents ask questions. You’re showing how invested you are in the entire school community. Check how you’re asking. Is it accusatory or is it actually to advocate for your child and other kids?

⚡️Be ready to be a part of the change!

More info: bigcityreaders.com/podcast

Join Beth as she sits down with veteran dyslexia expert Sher Marshall in this informative episode all about dyslexia. From recognizing the earliest signs to getting a diagnoses and advocating for support services, they cover a wide array of topics aimed at empowering parents to trust themselves, know the signs and know how to take action.

You will learn practical insights on how to tell if it’s how they’re being taught vs how their brain is wired, how to navigate the diagnosis process, tips on how advocate for your child within educational settings, and provide academic and emotional support in the classroom and at home. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone affected by dyslexia, this episode offers valuable knowledge and strategies to help you navigate the journey with confidence. Tune in and gain a deeper understanding of dyslexia and how to support your child.

Disclaimer: This episode is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your child’s school or teacher or offer diagnostic assessments. Testing for dyslexia cannot be done by a teacher or even a dyslexia specialist. They can offer tools. Testing is typically done by a licensed educational psychologist or neurologist.

Show notes: bigcityreaders.com/podcast

Follow me: Instagram.com/bigcityreaders

In this episode of Play On Words from big city readers, we're diving deep into the world of school reading support with a reading specialist and a parent who's been through the process. If you've ever wondered what a universal screener is or how Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) work, this episode is for you. We’ll also explore:

• What happens if your child needs extra help at school.
• The truth behind "words per minute" — does it really matter?
• How to make sense of your child’s report card and what their reading challenges may mean.
• Preparing for parent-teacher conferences and how to effectively communicate with your child's support team.

Tune in for practical tips, expert advice, and reassurance that you're not alone in navigating this journey.

More info: bigcityreaders.com