Parent-School Partnership, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | February 12 , 2024

How to Choose a Preschool or Childcare for Your Child

Choosing a preschool or childcare for your child? Use this guide from national literacy thought leader Maya Payne Smart to make

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Literacy Skills, Early Language . By Maya Smart | July 15 , 2024

How Your Words Drive Your Baby’s Brain Development & Prepare Them to Read

Parents literally build babies’ & toddlers’ brains through interactive conversation. Parenting author & literacy expert Maya

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Language Milestones & Literacy Targets for Babies

Discover what your baby should learn & do to grow into a thriving reader, and how to use milestones to support their

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Literacy Skills, Early Language . By Maya Smart | June 17 , 2024

Why, When, and How to Limit Your Baby’s or Preschooler’s Screen Time

How much is too much screen time for babies/preschoolers, when is it ok, & how do you set up optimal limits? Maya Payne Smart has

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Maya's Favorites, Literacy Skills . By Maya Smart | June 10 , 2024

You’re Hired: Parents Can—and Should—Teach Kids Reading Fundamentals

Parenting author and reading advocate Maya Payne Smart explains why parents need to teach their children reading basics—and

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Maya's Favorites, Early Language, Letters & Sounds, Spelling, Vocabulary, Family Activities . By Maya Smart | September 02 , 2024

The Planet Word Museum in D.C. Is The Place to Spur Language and Literacy Love with Kids

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart shares a peek at the Planet Word museum in Washington, D.C. and how it can inspire readers and

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Personal Development, Community, Diversity & Inclusion, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | December 09 , 2024

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

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Maya's Favorites, Community, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | October 28 , 2024

Literacy First Celebrates 30 Years of Impact with Reading for Our Lives Book Club

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart discusses the gold standard of reading tutor programs & a thoughtful book conversation on

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Family Activities . By Maya Smart | October 07 , 2024

How to Build Strong Family Reading Habits

How to build a great family reading culture and successfully instill the reading habit, explained by parenting and literacy

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Seasonal & Holidays, Community, Diversity & Inclusion . By Maya Smart | July 01 , 2024

July 4th Reflections on Liberty and Literacy

Author Maya Payne Smart reflects on the boundaries of the freedoms the 4th of July extols— and who enjoys them—plus how

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