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Do you have a child who is having difficulty learning to read? If so, you’re not alone. It turns out that many of our children are not learning to read because of a curriculum that’s recently been under significant scrutiny. 

One of my own children is struggling with reading, which sparked my passion in learning more about this topic of why so many children can’t read. I have the perfect guest on the podcast to talk all about this. Her name is Beth Gaskill, and she is the brilliant mind behind Big City Readers. I hope our conversation leaves you feeling hopeful in your child’s academic future, and confident to voice any of your concerns to their school.

Trained in the science of reading, the Orton Gillingham approach and as a multi sensory literacy instructor, an early childhood and elementary school teacher herself, Beth saw first hand the struggles that children, teachers and parents face in the learning to read journey. Desperate for more, she created a space where kids could learn and parents could feel confident as early as when their baby is born. 

Big City Readers is for kids and their grown ups birth-3rd grade but is super popular in the “under-5-year-old” demo as well as the “mama-looking-for-community” crowd. Beth founded Big City Readers to create a space for families to come together, understand how to teach their kids in their unique ways they are wired to learn, not just how to teach reading, build community AND have fun. She blends the roles of teacher and buddy seamlessly. She works tirelessly to connect parents and is personally responsible for MANY #BigCityBFFs.

In this episode we discuss:

• Beth’s personal experience with learning how to read as a child, and how it’s fueled what she’s doing today.
• How reading has been taught in the past, and how the science of reading has changed things.
• Quick things you can do to assess your child’s reading.
• Phonological awareness objectives by grade levels.
• What’s wrong with leveled readers and blended curriculums.
• How to find out what curriculum your child’s school is using.

Resources:

• Follow Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders
• Beth’s website
• Family Storytimes
• Beth’s tutoring sessions
• Email: hello@bigcityreaders.com
• Sold a Story podcast

For Beth’s Phonological Awareness Checklist PDF – click here or the image below!

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