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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

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 educationHow rejection sensitivity and ADHD can make it harder to ask for helpWhat Mississippi's reading reforms teach us about science-based reading instruction and phonicsWhy evidence-based reading instruction (structured literacy) is critical for all studentsHow to overcome fear of rejection when advocating for your struggling readerPractical steps to build confidence in educational advocacy, starting small Mentioned in This Episode:Big Feelings, Bigger Reactions: Parenting Kids With ADHD ⸻ 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: @bigcityreadersWebsite: bigcityreaders.comPodcast: Play on Words from Big City Readers

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 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 •    Podcast: Play on Words from Big City Readers

Episode 81. This week, Miss Beth welcomes KC Rickerd (@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

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 For more info visit ⁠https://www.bigcityreaders.com/podcast⁠ Message me your questions on Instagram ⁠@bigcityreaders⁠ Check out Big City Readers picks on ⁠Amazon⁠

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

EP 78: Beth and Susan host the first-ever meeting of the Elf on the Shelf Haters Club, a hilarious and heartfelt look at why this tradition stresses so many parents out. Using real listener DMs, we break down the surveillance storyline, comparison culture, mom mental load, and kid confusion — while offering alternatives, middle-ground solutions, and scripts you can actually use. Inside this 35-minute episode, we talk about: Why the elf’s surveillance storyline doesn’t align with many families’ values The comparison chaos (especially in 2nd–4th grade) The emotional load on kids AND parents Moms drowning in the nightly setup expectations Kids feeling sad or left out Why some parents absolutely love the elf and why others are DONEYou’ll also get middle-ground ideas, alternatives, and scripts for navigating questions like: “Why doesn’t our elf bring gifts?”“Why don’t we have an elf at all?”“Why do my friends have elves that do more?” Whether you love the elf, hate the elf, or forgot to move the elf… this episode is for you. In this episode: The 25  Books of Christmas

Episode 77 In today’s episode of Play on Words from Big City Readers, Miss Beth breaks down one of the top questions parents ask: Should I correct my child's spelling? Spoiler: correcting isn’t the enemy… but how you do it absolutely matters if you want to protect your child’s confidence and build lifelong readers and writers. From invented spelling to letter reversals, from the dreaded sight word “said” to why she cannot stand the book The Rainbow Fish, Miss Beth gets real about what’s developmentally normal, what to gently support, and what to leave alone. Whether your child is in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade, this episode gives you practical, science-backed tools to help your child feel confident while still building strong reading and writing foundations. ✏️ What We Cover in This Episode👉 Should You Correct Your Child’s Spelling?👉 Does Writing Letters the “Right Way” Matter?👉 Why I Don’t Love The Rainbow Fish👉 How to Teach the Sight Word “SAID” (And Why It Matters) ...And So Much More Building confidence through “productive struggle” Why correcting too much can accidentally shut kids down How to model writing without perfectionism What to do when your child hates writing When spelling concerns are worth a deeper lookFor all the resources I mentioned- free and on demand courses- visit bigcityreaders.com and connect with me on instagram @bigcityreaders

Episode 76 When a school or teacher suggests tutoring, it can feel confusing, triggering, or even alarming — especially if you don’t understand the school’s actual plan to support your child. In this quick episode, Miss Beth breaks down what to do in that moment and what every parent needs to know before hiring a tutor in first grade. You’ll learn: what schools are expected to do before recommending outside tutoring the key questions to ask when a teacher brings it up how to advocate for your child (even if you don’t realize you need to) what first-grade support should look like a simple script to get clear answers and keep communication collaborativeIf you’ve ever wondered whether tutoring is the right next step — or if your school should be doing more — this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and the exact words to say. First Grade RESET doors now open! Until 11/23

Episode 75 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 methods over outdated practices. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction and Viral Trend 00:03:00 Beth's Full Betrayal List 00:06:00 Behavior Charts 00:09:00 Reading Levels and Sight Words 00:12:00 Letter of the Week 00:15:00 The Giving Tree and Rainbow Fish  •  00:18:00 What's Not Cancelled? Follow Miss Beth Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/bigcityreaders/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@bigcityreaders More Resources: Bigcityreaders.com

Episode 74 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.

Welcome back to episode 73 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 in This Episode: The Power of Routine: Why the same breakfast at the same time can reduce stress. Connection Items: How a matching bracelet, heart doodle, or silly ritual helps kids feel close to you all day long. Drop-Off Rituals That Work: From synchronized car door slams to secret handshakes, small traditions make big transitions smoother. Practice Runs: How Saturday morning school visits (plus donuts!) can transform how your child feels about the building. Timing Anxiety Talks: Why Saturday mornings beat Sunday nights for reading “first day of school” books and having big feelings conversations. The Hardest Step for Parents: How to keep goodbyes short, sweet, and empowering—without feeding the worry loop.Why It MattersInstead of letting anxiety take over, these routines give kids jobs to do, helping them channel nervous energy into action. Parents and children become a team, turning the hardest part of the day into a moment of connection and pride. ✨ This episode isn’t just about managing anxiety—it’s about building confidence, connection, and joy around school routines. Mentioned in this episode:  Big Feelings Booklist Printable Routine Read about it on the blog 

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 better to hold back a boy vs. a girl? Where do we draw the line? (March birthdays redshirted) HELP! 4YO July Bday. Language/reasoning/comm 💯, Social-emotional 😱⚖️ Pros, Cons & Impact What are the top 3 signs to redshirt? Long-term implications of 6–7-year-olds in K — does it raise expectations too much for 4–5-year-olds? Is fear of “boredom causing behavior issues” a reason NOT to redshirt? Can kids get bumped up a grade if it ends up not being a good fit?💡 Situational Scenarios My child is smart, early Aug birthday, but can’t sit still and struggles to participate. My child can read since 2.5 and is advanced in math but struggles emotionally (Sept bday). Late August birthday — can tell social/emotional differences but not academic ones. Very extroverted, very tall, late July birthday, reading level H — teacher says she’s okay. Twins with developmental delay — early intervention or more time? Late birthday + IEP for ADHD — repeat K or will the IEP be enough for 1st?📍 District/Policy Questions Why don’t some schools (like CPS) allow redshirting? Is it allowed in every school district? Is it really up to parents? NYC with a Dec 31 cutoff — is that developmentally inappropriate?🛠 Practical Tips I’m holding my son back (Aug 17) and sending him to TK — tips for avoiding regression? We’re redshirting KG but likely going to 1st — what should we focus on? Should we repeat kinder in a multi-age class (K/1) or switch to a different class? When would you do it?😅 Other I already did it. How do I explain it to him? How common is this? Did it — bad idea. Had to fight to skip ahead due to immature classmates. My answers as a principal were easier than as a parent.

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 better to hold back a boy vs. a girl? Where do we draw the line? (March birthdays redshirted) HELP! 4YO July Bday. Language/reasoning/comm 💯, Social-emotional 😱⚖️ Pros, Cons & Impact What are the top 3 signs to redshirt? Long-term implications of 6–7-year-olds in K — does it raise expectations too much for 4–5-year-olds? Is fear of “boredom causing behavior issues” a reason NOT to redshirt? Can kids get bumped up a grade if it ends up not being a good fit?💡 Situational Scenarios My child is smart, early Aug birthday, but can’t sit still and struggles to participate. My child can read since 2.5 and is advanced in math but struggles emotionally (Sept bday). Late August birthday — can tell social/emotional differences but not academic ones. Very extroverted, very tall, late July birthday, reading level H — teacher says she’s okay. Twins with developmental delay — early intervention or more time? Late birthday + IEP for ADHD — repeat K or will the IEP be enough for 1st?📍 District/Policy Questions Why don’t some schools (like CPS) allow redshirting? Is it allowed in every school district? Is it really up to parents? NYC with a Dec 31 cutoff — is that developmentally inappropriate?🛠 Practical Tips I’m holding my son back (Aug 17) and sending him to TK — tips for avoiding regression? We’re redshirting KG but likely going to 1st — what should we focus on? Should we repeat kinder in a multi-age class (K/1) or switch to a different class? When would you do it?😅 Other I already did it. How do I explain it to him? How common is this? Did it — bad idea. Had to fight to skip ahead due to immature classmates. My answers as a principal were easier than as a parent.For more support visit bigcityreaders.com

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 learn: Why competitive kids sometimes struggle with losing Simple strategies to talk about frustration and fairness How to create a home culture that balances effort and empathy My favorite children’s books that build emotional vocabulary and self-regulation📚 Shop the book list here: 👉 ⁠Miss Beth’s Amazon Storefront – Competitive Kid Book List⁠ 💌 Want more like this? Follow⁠ @bigcityreaders⁠ on Instagram for daily tips, free book recs, and support for raising strong, kind readers.