Community, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | February 24 , 2025

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

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How to Assess Your Child’s Development with Language & Literacy Milestones

Discover what your baby or child should learn & do at each age to grow into a thriving reader, and how to use milestones to

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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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Parent-School Partnership . By Maya Smart | January 27 , 2025

School Involvement for Busy Parents: How to Support Your Child’s Education on Your Terms

Stop stressing about being the perfect parent volunteer! Learn how to support your child’s education in a way that fits your

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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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Early Language, Vocabulary, Family Activities . By Maya Smart | September 29 , 2025

Get Your Toddler Talking at a Children’s Museum Near You

Discover how children’s museums get toddlers talking, build vocabulary, and beat screen time—one playful visit at a

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