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:

• 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 😱

• 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?

• 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?

• 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?

• 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?

• 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.

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 kindergarten playground, Miss Beth is giving you my insider advice on:

• What to look for (spoiler: it’s not the fancy toys)
• What to ask the staff
• How to trust your gut
• Why “socialization” might not be as crucial as you think for babies
• And how to tell if the vibe is right for your family

Whether you’re a first-time parent or looking for your next school, this episode will help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

⁠Follow along on Instagram @bigcityreaders⁠ 

View more of  ⁠Miss Beth’s Tips⁠

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” really means—this one’s for you.

✨ We’ll cover:

• The difference between sight words and high-frequency words (yes, there’s a difference!)
• Why some approaches to teaching sight words are actually holding kids back
• What you can do to help your child recognize words with confidence
• Open vs. closed syllables (in a way that actually makes sense)
• Miss Beth’s favorite sight word activities that don’t rely on memorizing

📩 A real parent question kicks things off:
“My child goes to a play-based preschool. I asked what their literacy goals are and they said they’re introducing memorizing sight words. Is this the right track?”

Spoiler: Miss Beth has thoughts. And she’s not afraid to say what’s helpful—and what’s just hype.

Grab your headphones, kiss your brain, and let’s talk about what really works when it comes to growing strong, confident readers.

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

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 already powerful learning moments.

We talk about:
🧠 Why you don’t need more stuff to help your child learn
✨ How to feel confident that you’re doing “enough”
👶 The surprising ways babies and toddlers learn best
📚 Simple, evidence-based ways to support early development
🎵 Why everyday routines (yes, even diaper changes!) are packed with learning opportunities

If you’ve ever doubted yourself as a parent, this episode is your reminder: you are enough. 💛

📖 Resources Mentioned:

• Ayelet’s books: Understanding Your Baby & Understanding Your Toddler
• Follow Ayelet on Instagram: [@LearnWithLess]
• Big City Readers Baby Course SALE 

🎧 Listen now & share with a parent who needs this reassurance today! #ParentingConfidence #EarlyLearning #LearnWithLess #BigCityReaders

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✨ Raising kids with confidence while honoring cultures and traditions✨ Her favorite family-friendly spots in ChicagoJenny’s energy is infectious, and this conversation will leave you feeling inspired to embrace the season of motherhood you’re in—without losing yourself in the process.

Resources & Links:

📍 Follow Jenny on Instagram: ⁠@MamaFreshChicago⁠

📍 Learn more about Mama Fresh: ⁠mamafreshchicago.com⁠

📍 Connect with me on Instagram: ⁠@BigCityReaders⁠

Mentioned in this episode: ⁠FIRST GRADE BOOTCAMP⁠

If you loved this episode, be sure to rate, review, and share it with another mama who needs a fresh perspective! 💛

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 scores

If you’re in the middle of making this big decision, this episode will help ease your worries and give you a plan moving forward. Remember, a number on a website doesn’t tell the whole story!

Ask your question! Visit Big City Readers 

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 like the right fit, along with my own BIG feelings about what kids really need to thrive.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• The one question I think every parent should ask when touring a school.
• What parents say they love about schools that prioritize safety, connection, and growth.
• Why aligned behavior policies across an entire school are critical for kids’ safety and ability to learn.
• What happens to a child’s ability to learn when they’re in a disregulated state—and how schools can do better.
• My own experiences as a deeply feeling kid in a Catholic school, and what those memories taught me about creating safe, supportive environments for children.
• A little side note on leprechaun traps and why open-ended play should always take the lead in early childhood classrooms.

Whether you’re a parent wondering if your child is in the right school or just curious about what makes a truly supportive learning environment, this episode will give you practical insights and lots to think about.

💡 Bonus: If you’re considering my First Grade On-Demand Course, stay tuned for a special offer at the beginning of the episode! Enroll HERE

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with a friend! And as always, you can find me on Instagram @BigCityReaders to keep the conversation going.

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 approaches that are finally gaining ground in schools. She reflects on why labeling the Science of Reading as “trendy” is harmful, especially when it’s the key to unlocking reading success for every child, not just the privileged few.

Join Miss Beth as she explores:

• Why the Science of Reading is not a passing trend, but the result of decades of research on how the brain learns to read
• The impact of educational inequality and how access to effective reading instruction is tied to privilege
• Her personal take on the conversation around Gen Alpha’s reading development and the gap between the haves and have-nots
• What parents and educators can do to advocate for their children and push for evidence-based reading practices in every classroom

Get ready for a passionate discussion, because Miss Beth isn’t holding back when it comes to fighting for every child’s right to learn to read.

Find your class and get started on your child's reading journey today: ⁠bigcityreaders.com⁠