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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Maya's Favorites, Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | September 16 , 2024

Spelling Champs Beat the Odds, But Reading Itself is a Stretch Goal for Too Many

Discover the history of black spelling bee contestants who beat the odds, even as strong reading & spelling remain stretch goals

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Early Language, Personal Development . By Maya Smart | November 04 , 2024

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

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Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | November 11 , 2024

5 Tips for Parents from Reading for Our Lives by Maya Payne Smart

Empower your child’s literacy journey with these five actionable tips from Reading for Our Lives by Maya Payne Smart. Discover

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A Crisis Is Brewing: Learning Gaps and How to Avert Them

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart explains the overlooked phonological awareness skills kids need to become thriving

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Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | October 14 , 2024

Phonological Awareness: The Overlooked Skill Kids Need Before They Can Read

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart explains the overlooked phonological awareness skills kids need to become thriving

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Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | August 26 , 2024

How to Develop Your Child’s Phonological Awareness in Easy, Fun, Free Ways

Discover how to develop phonological awareness in easy, fun, free ways. It’s a key but often-overlooked skill kids need to read

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