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

What Your Child’s Report Card Actually Means

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

Understanding Your School's Reading Curriculum

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

Sight Words Aren't the Problem

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

Is Your Own Nervous System the Secret to Happy, Resilient Kids? with @JennieMonness

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

Progress Over Perfection: When Spelling Errors Are a Good Sign

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


Why Kids Can’t Read

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

Letting Kids Be Bored (Without Feeling Like a Bad Parent) with Lizzie Assa

Episode 81. This week, Miss Beth welcomes KC Rickerd [https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com](@milestonesandmotherhood) for a fun dive into the wild, weird world of English spelling and pronunciation!

In this episode, Miss Beth and KC explore why English words are so quirky, the origins behind confusing spellings, the science of reading and word morphology, and why we hammer with a hammer but sweep with a broom (seriously, what's up with that?).

If you've ever wondered why 'cue' has four silent letters or why 'fridge' has a 'D' when 'refrigerator' doesn't, you're definitely not alone! Sparked by a viral TikTok video, KC and Miss Beth unpack the oddities of English with humor and insight, sharing hilarious Misheard Monday moments and explaining how understanding word origins actually helps kids become better readers.

You'll also discover why English loves turning nouns into verbs, how the science of reading includes morphology, and some eye-opening examples of how pronunciation connects to a word's history.

So grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let's chat about the beautiful chaos that is the English language. Whether you're a word nerd or just trying to help your child navigate tricky spellings, this episode will have you laughing and learning!

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.

For more info visit https://www.bigcityreaders.com/podcast

Message me your questions on Instagram @bigcityreaders

Check out Big City Readers picks on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4stPAdp]

Why is English so Confusing? Breaking it Down with KC Rickerd of @milestonesandmotherhood

Episode 80. This week, Miss Beth dives into a question she hears all the time from concerned parents: "Why does my child write their letters backwards?"

In this episode, Miss Beth goes over backward letter writing in children, reversing letters and numbers, typical writing development milestones, and when to worry about letter reversals.

If you've ever watched your child scribble their name with letters facing the wrong direction, you're definitely not alone! This is completely normal and part of your child's natural development. Miss Beth explains why backward writing is so common in early learners and shares the encouraging news that most kids naturally outgrow this phase by around age seven.

You'll also discover why proper letter formation matters, how reading and writing skills work hand-in-hand, and some practical, fun ways to support your budding writer at home.

So grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let's chat about writing development. Your child's literacy journey is just beginning, and we're here to help you every step of the way!

⁠Tracing Letters A-Z Handwriting Graphic⁠ [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/blog/2025/5/30/tracing-letters-a-z-the-complete-guide-free-worksheet]

For more info visit ⁠https://www.bigcityreaders.com/podcast⁠ [https://www.bigcityreaders.com/podcast]

Message me your questions on Instagram ⁠@bigcityreaders⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/231175467376275/big-city-readers/?hl=en]

Check out Big City Readers picks on ⁠Amazon⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/shop/bigcityreaders?ccs_id=edcb4b9f-0e3e-4452-97bb-7b5c3af5e78d&isPublicView=true&linkCode=sl2&tag=bigcityreader-20&linkId=11779dd6606a346b9c9eac09e9f8eda8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl]

Why Does My Child Write Their Letters Backwards?

Episode 79 - ADHD and motivation—let's cut through the noise. This episode breaks down why so many people get motivation wrong when it comes to ADHD, and what actually works to move the needle. Dr. Carrie gets real about the myths we need to retire (like motivation being some tank you can empty) and what actually matters: understanding what drives each person and building an environment that doesn't work against them. Miss Beth chats with Dr. Carrie Jackson about ADHD motivation in kids (and adults!), executive function challenges, dopamine regulation, and neurodivergent strategies.

If you're tired of surface-level advice and want strategies that hold up over time, this one's for you.  

For more info visit https://www.bigcityreaders.com/podcast

Find Dr. Carrie on Instagram @dr.carriejackson 

Message me your questions on Instagram @bigcityreaders 

Check out Big City Readers picks on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4a6VMl0]

Big Feelings, Bigger Reactions: Parenting Kids with ADHD Without Losing Your Mind with Dr. Carrie Jackson Ep 79

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. 

play on words

miss beth's Show

parenting

Miss Beth is known across the globe as a reading rockstar, disrupter of the education system and "like Taylor Swift and Mr Rogers."

miss beth

Shows