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PODCAST

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

education education for kids

All Episodes

20:40

Season 3 Ep. 2: CANCELLED! Sight Words, Letter Of The...

play on words ·

2025/11/06

In this episode of the Play On Words podcast from Big City Readers, host Beth Gaskill dives into the viral trend inspired by Taylor Swift's song "Cancelled," exploring the concept of a "betrayal list" in education. Beth shares her own list of educational practices she believes should be "cancelled" to foster successful readers, including behavior charts, memorizing sight words, and the "letter of the week" approach. She emphasizes the importance of connection, regulation, and adaptive teaching

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8:17

Story Time For Kids! Room On The Broom by Julia...

play on words ·

2025/10/15

Miss Beth from Big City Readers reads Room On The Broom, our Halloween favorite! Julia Donaldson is one of the best authors we love to promote. Find more Halloween stories ⁠here⁠!And Follow on ⁠Youtube⁠ for more story time for kids!Check out our ⁠on demand classes⁠ to raise readers- toddlers to third grade.

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33:44

Season 3 Ep. 1: Back-to-School Anxiety: Parenting...

play on words ·

2025/09/17

Welcome to Season 3 of Play On Words from Big City Readers! In this kickoff episode, Miss Beth dives into one of the most common challenges families face each fall: back-to-school anxiety.If mornings feel chaotic, drop-offs end in tears, or your child worries about school all weekend, this episode is for you. Drawing from her years of working with families, Beth shares practical, playful, and totally doable strategies to ease anxiety and help your child feel confident about school.What You'll Learn

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46:58

EP. 72: Kindergarten Redshirting Part 2: How Do I...

play on words ·

2025/08/04

The principal is BACK. Part 2 or 2 with principal, educator and friend of the pod: Jon Arens. We are answering all ALL your questions about learning to read and starting kindergarten.Questions YOU asked and we discuss in these two episodes:🧠 Decision-Making Factors What factors would make you consider redshirting as a good fit aside from age alone? Is it better to make the decision based on academic readiness or emotional/maturity? Does birth order influence the choice? Does research show it’s

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46:58

EP. 72: Redshirting Kindergarten Part 2: How Do I...

play on words ·

2025/08/04

The principal is BACK. Part 1 or 2 with principal, educator and friend of the pod: Jon Arens. We are answering all ALL your questions about learning to read and starting kindergarten.Questions YOU asked and we discuss in these two episodes:🧠 Decision-Making Factors What factors would make you consider redshirting as a good fit aside from age alone? Is it better to make the decision based on academic readiness or emotional/maturity? Does birth order influence the choice? Does research show it’s

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46:58

EP. 72: Redshirting Kindergarten Part 2: How Do I...

play on words ·

2025/08/04

The principal is BACK. Part 1 or 2 with principal, educator and friend of the pod: Jon Arens. We are answering all ALL your questions about learning to read and starting kindergarten.Questions YOU asked and we discuss in these two episodes:🧠 Decision-Making Factors What factors would make you consider redshirting as a good fit aside from age alone? Is it better to make the decision based on academic readiness or emotional/maturity? Does birth order influence the choice? Does research show it’s

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33:09

EP. 71: Kindergarten Redshirting Part 1: Can You...

play on words ·

2025/08/04

The principal is BACK. Part 1 or 2 with principal, educator and friend of the pod: Jon Arens. We are answering all ALL your questions about learning to read and starting kindergarten.Questions YOU asked and we discuss in these two episodes:🧠 Decision-Making Factors What factors would make you consider redshirting as a good fit aside from age alone? Is it better to make the decision based on academic readiness or emotional/maturity? Does birth order influence the choice? Does research show it’s

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28:12

EP. 70 My Kid Turns Into a Rage Monster When He Loses

play on words ·

2025/06/05

The Psychology Behind Competitive Kids (and What Helps)If your child is the kindest kid on the block… until they lose a game and suddenly you’re dealing with a rage monster - this episode is for you. Competitive kids often have big hearts and even bigger feelings. In this quick pep talk, I’ll walk you through what’s really going on beneath that explosive reaction, how to support emotional growth without crushing their drive, and my go-to book list that helps kids build resilience and empathy.You’ll

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49:23

Ep. 69 What I'd Tell Alex Bennett on Her First...

play on words ·

2025/05/15

Ever find yourself standing in a daycare hallway thinking, “Wait… what exactly am I supposed to ask on this tour?” Same.In this episode, Miss Beth is breaking it all down Big Sister style—whether you’re looking for daycare, preschool, or kindergarten. Inspired by a recent conversation from Alex Bennett on Two Parents and a Podcast, Beth is sharing real, practical tips to help you figure out what you actually want for your child (and what matters on a tour).From the toddler room snack tables to the

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30:04

Ep. 68 Sight Words: The Good, the Bad & the What Were...

play on words ·

2025/04/10

In this episode of Play On Words, Miss Beth is bringing the heat—and the research—on one of the most asked-about early reading topics: sight words.What even are sight words? Should your child be memorizing them? Is there a better way? What do syllables have to do with all this? And what should you do if your child’s school is sending home flashcards and calling it a day?Whether you’ve got a preschooler being told to memorize a word list or you’re just trying to figure out what “high frequency”

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8:05

Ep. 67 Story Time For Kids: When Spring Comes by...

play on words ·

2025/03/31

Miss Beth from Big City Readers shares one of her favorite authors and her favorite story for spring: When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes.Watch it here and read more about why this early childhood literacy specialist says this book checks off all the boxes for one she recommends!More spring books ⁠here ⁠Read about WHY this book checks off all the boxes for me as an early childhood literacy specialist on my ⁠substack

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48:07

Am I Doing Enough? Understanding Your Baby & Toddler...

play on words ·

2025/03/19

Are you constantly wondering if you're doing enough as a parent? Do you feel pressure to “get it right” when it comes to your baby or toddler’s development? In this episode, I’m joined by Ayelet Marinovich, pediatric speech-language pathologist, parent educator, and founder of Learn With Less®. She’s the author of Understanding Your Baby and Understanding Your Toddler, two incredible resources that remind parents: you don’t need fancy toys or complicated activities—your everyday interactions are

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39:22

Modern Motherhood: Confidence, Culture & Connection...

play on words ·

2025/02/25

Today’s episode is all about modern motherhood, community, and keeping things fresh! Beth Gaskill (Big City Readers) is joined by Jenny LeFlore, the powerhouse mama behind Mama Fresh, a movement dedicated to creating spaces where families—especially Black families—feel seen, supported, and celebrated.We talk about:✨ The story behind Mama Fresh and why community is essential for moms✨ How Jenny balances social media with real-life parenting✨ The importance of representation in parenting spaces✨

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31:30

Kindergarten School Search: Should You Trust Online...

play on words ·

2025/02/17

Are you stressed about choosing a school for your child? Maybe your neighborhood school has low ratings, and you're wondering if that means it’s a bad choice. In this episode, Miss Beth breaks down:✅ What school ratings actually measure (and what they don’t!)✅ How to tour a school and know if it’s a good fit✅ Ways to make a positive experience at any school—even one with low scores✅ The key questions parents should ask teachers and principals✅ Why engaged parents matter more than test scoresIf

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49:02

Choosing a School: What Most Parents Forget to Ask

play on words ·

2025/01/16

On today’s episode of Play on Words from Big City Readers with Beth Gaskill I am diving into a recent consultation I had with a family about choosing a preschool. I asked a simple question: Why are you leaving your current school? The answer they gave me shocked me—and it’s one I know you’ll want to hear.But this episode isn’t just about what can go wrong; it’s also about what parents love about schools that truly support their kids. I’m sharing insights from families on what makes a school feel

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42:10

The Myth of 'New and Trendy': Breaking Down the...

play on words ·

2024/12/23

In this episode ofPlay On Words from Big City Readers, Miss Beth dives into theBusiness Insiderarticle titled,"For Gen Alpha, Learning to Read is Becoming a Privilege"and breaks down her frustration with its portrayal of the Science of Reading as “new” and “trendy.”Miss Beth passionately addresses how the article overlooks decades of reading research, dismissing the rigorous, evidence-based approaches that are finally gaining ground in schools. She reflects on why labeling the Science of Reading as

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44:56

What Do The Elf On The Shelf, The Rainbow Fish, and...

play on words ·

2024/12/03

In this solo episode of the play on words from Big City Readers we’re diving into some hot topics that spark debates in classrooms, on playgrounds, and at the family dinner table. From controversial children’s books like The Giving Tree and I’ll Love You Forever to the polarizing tradition of the Elf on the Shelf, we’ll explore why these stories and traditions can feel tricky for parents and educators. We’ll also share practical tips for teaching kids about boundaries—both in their relationships and

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52:49

Do Babies Need Toys? How Much Should I Play With My...

play on words ·

2024/11/21

In this jam-packed episode, Beth is joined by Brooke Boruff, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Infant Insights, to tackle all your biggest questions about baby and toddler development. From bonding and soothing to choosing the right preschool, Brooke’s expert advice will leave you feeling informed, confident, and ready to embrace this stage of parenting.Here’s what we cover:🎁 Do babies really need toys to thrive? (Hint: Less is more!)🍼 Is it normal for a baby to roll at 3 weeks

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73:18

Understanding Your Child's Behavior: Brain-Based...

play on words ·

2024/11/14

In this episode ofPlay On Words, from Big City Readers, Miss Beth chats with pediatric occupational therapist Courtney English about the real reasons behind your child's behavior—from sensory needs to nervous system regulation—and what you can do to support them (and yourself!). They break down common parenting challenges like meltdowns at dinner, unexpected outburst biting and hitting and why your kid might be rolling on the rug or have trouble sitting still in school, while giving practical tips

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31:05

Story Time For Kids: How To Be Brave

play on words ·

2024/11/10

Originally from instagram Live, join Miss Beth from Big City Readers as she reads You Matter, When You Are Brave, Pass It On, If You Plant A Seed, The Rabbit Listened and shares life lessons about looking for hope and having courage.View it on instagram: Instagram.com/bigcityreadersPurchase these books: amazon.com/shop/bigcityreaders

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