Maya’s Favorites

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

5 Easy, Fun Phonemic Awareness Games for You and Your Preschooler to Play at Home

Lay the foundation for reading success! Discover 5 easy, fun phonemic awareness activities to help your child recognize sounds in

11 Brilliant Black Female Authors You Should Be Reading With Your Kids

Inspire young readers with books by black women authors! Celebrate diversity, identity, and joy with must-read stories for kids.

The Paperback Edition of Reading for Our Lives Is Here—And It Couldn’t Come at a More Critical Time

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

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

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

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

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

How to Do an Awesome Bill of Rights Activity for Preschoolers

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