Adults

Maya Featured in Mom 2.0: Moms Making a Difference

Parenting author and literacy advocate Maya Payne Smart shares a feature spotlighting how moms are making a difference all year

How to Boost Your Child’s Social-Emotional Intelligence With Books

Discover how reading and books can help you raise an emotionally aware child with the empathy and social skills to support good

Substitute Teaching as a Meaningful Side Hustle for Parents: Give Back and Make Money on Your Schedule

Looking for flexible work during school hours? Substitute teaching can be a great part-time job for parents—plus a way to

Why Awards Matter: The Unexpected Benefits of Recognition, Connection, and Celebration

Awards serve as exclamation marks—chances to pause and say, this matters. Maya Payne Smart reflects on building change with

Rising Together: My Reflections on Getting the 2025 Champion of Children Award at Beyond School Hours

Literacy lifts communities! Maya Payne Smart, 2025 Champion of Children, challenges us to help every child read, grow, and

Literacy Champion Offers a Case Study in How to Be an Advocate (Hint: Lead With Curiosity)

Attorney Kevin Long didn’t set out to become a literacy advocate. But thoughtful curiosity drove him to become a catalyst for

I’ve Had a Fantastic Year Promoting Literacy for All. Who’ll Join My 2025 Plans?

Parenting author and literacy expert Maya Payne Smart shares exciting plans for 2025, plus literacy for all successes in

The Christmas Books Campaign that Launched My Literacy Advocacy

Celebrating 10 years since Maya Smart’s pivotal role as The Richmond Christmas Mother, where her passion for literacy and early

Want to give the gift of reading? Try Iceland’s Jolabokaflod, A ‘Christmas Book Flood’

I Made These New-Mom Mistakes. Then I Wrote a Book So You Won’t Have To.

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart shares her inspiring journey to becoming a literacy advocate and what new parents can learn