If the thought of “kindergarten readiness” has you spiraling, this episode is going to be a breath of fresh air. Today I’m joined by Beth Gaskill, better known as Miss Beth of @bigcityreaders, a former teacher turned literacy specialist who’s changing the way parents think about early reading.

Beth breaks down why we’re putting way too much pressure on ourselves (and our kids) when it comes to starting school—and what’s really going on inside kindergarten classrooms across the U.S. From the lack of regulation to teachers paying out of pocket for literacy training, she’s not afraid to call it like it is.

We also get into some of the most common questions parents have about reading: whether we’re pushing kids to read too soon, if sight words are really necessary, and what the “science of reading” actually means. Beth shares what to look for in your child’s reading curriculum, the key words you want to hear from their teacher, and why third grade is such a crucial turning point for reading development.

She leaves us with one powerful piece of advice for raising readers: let your kids see you reading. (And yes, a Kindle counts.)

This conversation will help you breathe easier, understand what really matters for early literacy, and know how to support your child without the overwhelm.