In this episode, we talk with Amy Priour who is the Partner Development Coordinator for Ferst Readers.

Ferst Readers wants every child to have the best start in life - and nothing helps a baby's brain develop more than exposure to rich language and loving interactions. This program allows for all children under the age of 5 in Dallas, Kaufman, Rockwall, and Collin counties to receive a free book each month. These books are delivered directly to the child’s home. 

Register your child/children for this free program here: www.ferstreaders.org/texas

Learn more about Ferst Readers here: www.ferstreaders.org

Learn more about Once Upon a Month here: www.unitedwaydallas.org/programs/once-upon-a-month

You can make a financial contribution to Ferst Readers here to support their work: www.ferst-readers-inc.networkforgood.com/projects/149522-donate-now

In this episode, we are talking with Vince Falsarella who is the Regional Marketing & Communications Director for Prime Healthcare about the Baby Book Bag program that is offered at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite.

Learn more about about the Baby Book Bag program at Dallas Regional Medical Center here: 

https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=919498353549121&id=100064668940369

Learn more about Dallas Regional Medical Center here: https://dallasregionalmedicalcenter.com/

Learn more about Mesquite ISD’s LENA Start groups here: https://www.readplaytalk.com/lena-start

Learn more about ChildCareGroup here: https://childcaregroup.org/

All children under the age of five in Dallas county can sign up to receive a free book each month through Ferst Readers. Families can sign up for Ferst Readers here: https://ferstreaders.org/texas

Follow Read Play Talk on social media for ideas to read, play, and talk together at home!

Facebook: @ReadPlayTalk 

Instagram: @ReadPlayTalk  

Twitter: @ReadPlayTalkTX

In this episode, we are talking with Alexander Helgar, President of the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, about the Read Play Talk Festival and Community Expo taking place on Saturday, October 26 at Town East Mall.

We hope you will join us at the 2024 Read Play Talk Festival & Community Expo! The event will take place on Saturday, October 26 from 11:00am-2:00pm at Town East Mall. 

*In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors at Poteet High School. 

Learn more about the Read Play Talk Festival & Community Expo here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/HCgnymuZmt5WXPpd/

Learn more about the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce here:

www.mesquitechamber.com

You can contact Alexander via the information below:

Learn more about Mesquite ISD’s Career & Technical Education Opportunities here:
https://www.facebook.com/CTEMesquiteISD

https://www.mesquiteisd.org/departments/academics/cte

Learn more about Read Play Talk here:

www.readplatytalk.com

Follow Read Play Talk on social media for ideas to read, pl...

In this episode, Lindsay talks with Mesquite ISD Director of Library Services, Emma McDonald, and Mesquite ISD Coordinator of Library Systems, Lauren Jones, about the Little Readers Book Clubs that will be taking place on MISD elementary campuses this school year.

Listen to previous episodes of the Read Play Talk Podcast with Emma McDonald

Episode 16: 21 Million Pages

Episode 33: Mesquite ISD Library Share Card

Learn more about Little Readers and find details on all Mesquite ISD Little Readers groups at:

www.readplaytalk.com/littlereaders

Ferst Readers is a program funded by United Way and the Boone Family Foundation that provides free books for children in Dallas county each month until the child turns 5 years old. Learn more and sign up for Ferst Readers at:

https://ferstreaders.org/texas

Learn more about ReadyRosie by attending a Little Readers group at a campus near you!

Follow campuses close to you to see when upcoming Little Readers groups are taking place!

Find all Read Play Talk Podcast episodes on Podcasts.com, Apple Podcasts, and on readplaytalk.com/podcast

Follow Read Play Talk on social media for ideas to read, play, and talk together at home!

Facebook: @ReadPlayTalk 

Instagram: @ReadPlayTalk  

Twitter: @ReadPlayTalkTX

In this episode, we are talking with Thelma Fuentes who is the LENA Start Program Facilitator in Mesquite ISD about our fall LENA Start groups.

LENA Start is a free parent education program for families with children under the age of three. Throughout 8-weekly sessions, families will learn how simply talking more with their child will help to build their brain and set them up for success in school and beyond. 

Learn more about Mesquite ISD’s fall LENA Start groups at www.readplaytalk.com/lenastart

Learn more about the LENA Device at www.lena.org/technolog

Go back and listen to previous Read Play Talk Podcast episodes on LENA Start at www.readplaytalk.com/podcast

Episode 18: Interview with LENA Start Participant Chandra Courtney

Episode 21: Interview with Brittaney Robinson from the LENA Foundation

Episode 32: LENA Start on Campuses with Veronica Armendariz

If you have any questions or would like to sign up for a LENA Start group, call 972-882-5463 or email [email protected]

Follow LENA Start on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LENAStartMISD

Follow Read Play Talk on social media for ideas to read, play, and talk together at home!

Facebook: @ReadPlayTalk 

Instagram: @ReadPlayTalk  

Learn more about the Balch Springs Public Library by visiting their website and Facebook Page:

BSPL Website: https://www.cityofbalchsprings.com/175/Library-Learning-Center

BSPL Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BalchSpringsLibrary

Learn more about Family Place Libraries here: https://www.familyplacelibraries.org/

Follow Read Play Talk on social media for ideas on how to read, play, and talk together at home!

Facebook: @ReadPlayTalk

Instagram: @ReadPlayTalk

Twitter: @ReadPlayTalk TX

In this episode, Lindsay talks with local author Angela Henderson Smith.

Learn more about Angela on her website: www.angelahendersonsmith.com

Check out Angela’s three books!

Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree: Linked here

Isaac and Izzy’s Tree House: Linked here

Isaac and Izzy’s Magical Maples: Linked here

Check out programs offered at the Mesquite Public Library and the Balch Springs Public Library.

Link to Mesquite Public Library

Link to Balch Springs Public Library

Here are some of Angela’s favorite activities to do with kids:

-Read The Apple Doll by Elisa Kleven and then have your child make their own apple doll

-Read books that incorporate food and then share that food with your child. This is a great activity to pair with Angela’s books!

-Incorporate nature with the books that you read with your child

-Find stuffed animals that match characters in books you are reading

In this episode, we are talking with Roxanna Rivera and Lisa Bueno, who are both parents of students in Mesquite ISD, about the impact that family engagement opportunities have had on their lives and in their families.

Learn more about the Mesquite ISD Family Engagement Center at their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/misdfamily

Follow Read Play Talk on social media for ideas to read, play, and talk together at home!

Facebook: @ReadPlayTalk 

Instagram: @ReadPlayTalk  

Twitter: @ReadPlayTalkTX

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk about the 2024 Read Play Talk Fair that is scheduled for Saturday, March 23 from 9:00am-noon at Mesquite High School.

We hope that you and your family will join us for our 6th annual Read Play Talk Fair!

2024 Read Play Talk Fair Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/348515771474832

Follow Read Play Talk on social media for ideas to read, play, and talk together at home!

Facebook: @ReadPlayTalk 

Instagram: @ReadPlayTalk  

Twitter: @ReadPlayTalkTX