play on words

Latest Episodes:

Why Does My Child Write Their Letters Backwards? Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

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

Big Feelings, Bigger Reactions: Parenting Kids with ADHD Without Losing Your Mind with Dr. Carrie Jackson Ep 79 Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

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

Elf on the Shelf Haters Club (Holiday Meeting Now in Session) Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

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 DONE

You’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

How to Correct Your Child's Spelling Without Crushing Their Confidence Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

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 look

For all the resources I mentioned- free and on demand courses- visit bigcityreaders.com and connect with me on instagram @bigcityreaders

Is Tutoring Really The Answer? What To Expect From For Your First Grader Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

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 collaborative

If 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

Things I Wish Were Canceled: Sight Words, Letter Of The Week, Behavior Charts, Reading Levels and MORE Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

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

Back-to-School Anxiety: Parenting Tips & Morning Routines That Work Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

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 Matters

Instead 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

EP. 72: Kindergarten Redshirting Part 2: How Do I Know If I Should Delay Kindergarten? Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

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.

EP. 71: Kindergarten Redshirting Part 1: Can You Learn To Read At Home Depot? Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

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

EP. 70 My Kid Turns Into a Rage Monster When He Loses Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

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.