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The Reading Wars Never Ended—and Your Child May Be Caught in Them

August 12, 2026

In honor of Episode 96, Miss Beth is going back to 1996, a pivotal year in the history of reading instruction and the year one of the most iconic book-loving children arrived on the big screen: Matilda. What did Matilda get right and wrong about literacy and the American Education System?In this episode, Beth breaks down the whole-language approach, the original reading wars and the strategies that encouraged children to use pictures, context and first letters to guess at words. She connects ...

What your first grader should know before the first day of school

August 05, 2026

Is your child really ready for first grade? The answer has a lot less to do with reading a whole book independently — and a lot more to do with whether the right foundational skills are in place.In episode 95, Miss Beth breaks down the specific literacy skills rising first graders should be developing before the school year begins. We're talking about phonemic awareness, letter sounds, decoding, spelling, and sentence writing — not vague readiness checklists, reading levels, or memorized sigh...

Reading Doesn't Start with the Alphabet: The Skills Every Preschooler Needs First

July 29, 2026

Have you ever worried that your preschooler isn't interested in letters yet? Or wondered if you should be doing more alphabet practice at home?This episode is your reminder to take a deep breath.In episode 94, Miss Beth breaks down the developmental skills that come before the ABCs — and explains why these early experiences are some of the strongest predictors of later reading success. Reading and writing don't begin with flashcards or worksheets. They begin years earlier through movement, pl...