play on words

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. 

  1. 4d ago ·  Video

    Reading or Memorizing? The Difference Matters

    Episode 91: This week Miss Beth dives into her viral video that sparked thousands of comments and a lot of strong opinions. After sharing that children who can read familiar words but struggle with nonsense words may be relying on memorization rather than decoding, the internet had questions: is memorization bad, do skilled readers really sound out every word, and are adults just "fake reading"? Beth unpacks what she actually meant, explores the research behind decoding and orthographic mapping, and explains why nonsense words reveal so much about whether a child truly understands the alphabetic code.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN• Why the term "fake reading" struck such a nerve online• The real difference between memorization and decoding• What nonsense words actually reveal about a child's reading ability• Why skilled readers don't decode every single word forever• The truth about automaticity and orthographic mapping• Why words like invited and invaded can expose hidden gaps• Common myths about how our brains read words (shape, context, first and last letters)• Why explicit reading instruction is an equity issue, not just a preference• How to support children without shame, blame, or guiltREADING REWIND: 1991This week's literacy time capsule takes us back to 1991, when the Reading Wars were heating up and educators were debating many of the same questions parents and teachers are still asking today.TOPICSscience of reading · decoding · orthographic mapping · nonsense words · automaticity · phonics · reading wars · structured literacy · literacy equity · fourth grade reading proficiency · reading instruction · memorization vs decodingCONNECT WITH MISS BETHIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a teacher, grandparent, or friend who's ever wondered: "How do I know if my child is really reading?" And if you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow Play on Words so you never miss an episode.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. Join Big City Summer right here! Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @BigCityReadersBrowse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com

    22 min

  2. Jun 8 ·  Video

    Why Reading Hasn't Clicked Yet (Hint: It's Not About Reading Faster)

    Episode 90: In this episode, Beth breaks down one of the most important (and most misunderstood) reading skills: fluency. She explains why knowing letter sounds doesn't automatically lead to easy reading, what the real bridge between decoding and comprehension looks like, and simple, science-backed ways parents can help their child become a stronger, more confident reader at home. What you'll learn What reading fluency actually means and why it matters The three components of fluent reading: accuracy, rate, and expression Why fluency is about far more than reading quickly How fluency supports reading comprehension The connection between decoding skills and fluent reading Signs your child may need extra fluency support Five simple ways to build reading fluency at home Why rereading favorite books can be incredibly powerful How strong fluency builds lasting reading confidenceTopics science of reading, reading fluency, reading comprehension, decoding, phonics, accuracy, reading rate, expression, early literacy, structured literacy, reading confidence, parent tips, foundational reading skills 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.

    24 min
  3. The Hidden Skills Your Child Needs to Thrive in Kindergarten (Beyond Reading)

    May 26 ·  Video

    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 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 dayTopicsscience 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 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.

    23 min

  4. Apr 10 ·  Video

    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 gapsTopics science of reading · phonemic awareness · phonics · early literacy · report cards · reading struggles · parent advocacy · blending · structured literacy · kindergarten · first grade Links Mentioned Kindergarten Ready First Grade Bootcamp Kinder & First Grade Beginning Middle & End of Year Guide 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

    22 min
  5. Understanding Your School's Reading Curriculum

    Mar 20 ·  Video

    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 togetherTopicsscience of reading · phonological awareness · structured literacy · reading curriculum · phonics instruction · dyslexia · early literacy · reading fluency · parent questions about reading Links Mentioned Kindergarten On-Demand First Grade On-Demand 2nd & 3rd Grade On-Demand Play on Words Episode 52: 3 Cuing and Reading Struggles 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 on Instagram @BigCityReaders Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com

    22 min
  6. Sight Words Aren't the Problem

    Feb 25 ·  Video

    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 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 todayIf 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 @bigcityreadersBrowse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com

    22 min

  7. Feb 13 ·  Video

    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 parentingAbout 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 @bigcityreadersBrowse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com

    49 min
  8. Progress Over Perfection: When Spelling Errors Are a Good Sign

    Feb 5 ·  Video

    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=1000674429262Episode 77 "How to correct your child's spelling without crushing their confidence"https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kOasZMODEnnv68TNsj0kL?si=XtyxlUSCSHmzONrdynaxpQAbout the HostMiss 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    •    Podcast: Play on Words from Big City Readers

    23 min
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5
out of 5
130 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    miss beth
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    play on words

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