play on words

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 Jenn...

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 ke...

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...

In this episode of Play On Words from Big City Readers , Miss Beth dives into the Business Insider article 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...

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 educa...

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...

In this episode of Play 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 y...

In this episode, Miss Beth sits down with her best friend and popular influencer, Just Me Rod, for a hilarious and nostalgic trip down memory lane. Together, they reminisce about the joys of Book-It and those coveted Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas, the strange traditions of 90s elementary school life, and the quirky things we all did as kids (remember Trapper Keepers and scratch-and-sniff stickers?...

Hear from Chicago School Board candidate Ellen Rosenfeld about what school board elections mean. Now, I’ll be the first to say that I’m not an expert on the financial management of public schools or all the ins and outs of policy-making, but what I do know is that the decisions made at the school board level have a huge impact on the education our children receive—especially in a city like Chicago...

In this part two episode with Principal Jon Arens, we continue exploring crucial topics that every parent and educator should know. We dive into lockdown drills, school transfers, and more, including: Lockdown drills and the tough realities of school safety. Transferring schools: What qualifies as a good reason to consider moving your child. School tours: Why security questions matter more than cu...

In this solo episode, Miss Beth from Big City Readers answers parent question "what do I say when my child asks if this right and when do I start correcting their spelling?" We explore how to support children, especially perfectionists, when they ask, "Is this right?" while using inventive spelling in their writing. We’ll dive into how to encourage confidence, focus on the learning process, and pr...

In this episode, we sit down with Principal Jon Arens, a special education teacher and dad to 3 little ones in the learning to read stages! We dive into the realities of education, parenting, and navigating the school system. This is part 1 of 2. We cover a wide range of topics, including: Why Bluey beats Daniel Tiger as a favorite and how that choice says a lot about what we value in children's c...

In today’s episode from Big City Readers, I’m diving deep into one of the most debated topics in early literacy: the 3 cueing strategy and how it may be affecting your child’s ability to learn to read. If your child is struggling with blending sounds or progressing in reading, it’s essential to know whether they’ve been taught using the right strategies—and if those strategies are being used consi...

In this episode of Play On Words from Big City Readers , Beth Gaskill is joined by Naomi O’Brien, reading teacher, advocate and speaker, to talk about shaking things up in education and empowering both teachers and students to thrive. Here’s what you can expect from this episode: Reflections on presenting at big conferences (and the fun moments, like talking Jonas Brothers and Boyz II Men). Answer...

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 ne...

Today on the Play On Words Podcast from Big City Readers we are talking about supporting your toddler's language development and how it connects to learning to read with speech-language pathologists Katie and Carly of Wee Talkers.  We dive deep into the world of toddler speech development, reading foundations, and milestones—and what it really means when kids hit (or don’t hit) those mileston...

Miss Beth sits down with Jamie Kreiter, a therapist and Big City mom, to explore some of the most pressing issues in early childhood development and parenting like getting ready for your child to go to school, repair, and why some moms might hesitate about starting therapy.  Jamie and Beth tackle the bittersweet experience of sending a child off to kindergarten and the importance of naming an...

Raising independent kids, saying no to homework and how well behaved babies rarely make history. In this episode of Play On Words from Big City Readers , Miss Beth sits down with Lizzie Assa, founder of The Workspace For Children, for a no-nonsense back-to-school pep talk. Together, they tackle the nuances of raising kids who can advocate for themselves while remaining respectful, and they share t...

In this episode of the Play On Words podcast from Big City Readers, we dive deep into the world of ADHD, addressing key aspects that are often misunderstood or overlooked. Join Miss Beth and Dr. Carrie Jackson as we explore: What Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is and why it’s rarely discussed The earliest signs of ADHD and effective strategies to support kids The role of medication and the im...

2 Beths!  Miss Beth and Beth Rosenbleeth of Days with Grey discuss everything from ensuring your child is allergy-safe at camp to the great debate about whether to maintain a summer structure and how to get your kids to learn life skills. Plus, Beth spills the tea on what she found in my pantry when she came to visit and one childhood memory that didn't cost a thing. In this episode, we cover...

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 activitie...

"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, fr...

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...

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 ho...

Help! My 4 year old is really getting consonant sounds but struggles with vowel sounds and I think I do too. What's long and short and what do I teach her first? This episode answers this parent question and touches on beginning to blend. You'll hear how to say each vowel sound, when it's appropriate to expect understanding and best developmentally appropriate practices for working on this concept...