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TALK to Raise a Reader: How to Build Strong Reading Skills at Home :: Maya Smart [Ep 527]
Don't Mom Alone Podcast
06/16/25
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Kids all read at different ages, stages, and times, but how can we, as parents, ensure they are getting all the tools and skills they need to become great readers? Today, Maya Smart joins me to talk about her new book Reading for Our Lives. She delves into the science of how kids become not just readers, but also comprehend and think critically. Here is some of what we cover:
Connect with Maya Smart:
Links Mentioned:
Related Episodes:
Featured Sponsors:
- Why you are your child’s chief vocabulary builder
- TALK stands for: Take turns, Ask questions, Label and point, Keep the conversation going
- Why literacy still matters—even in an AI world
- Literacy is relational, not just instructional
- Early vocabulary and sound awareness are critical foundations
Connect with Maya Smart:
- Website: Maya Smart - Helping Parents Raise Readers | Become a Reader
- Facebook: Maya Smart
- Instagram: Maya Smart - Parent Educator and Literacy Advocate (@mayasmarty)
Links Mentioned:
Related Episodes:
- How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88}
- “What is Typical When Learning to Talk?” :: Stephanie Cohen [Ep 486]
- Supporting Students with Dyslexia :: Kerri Irvin [Ep 317]
Featured Sponsors:
- Active Skin Repair: Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code:DMA.
- Remi: No waiting rooms. No overpriced bills. Just a better way to protect your teeth while you sleep. Try Remi risk-free at shopremi.com/DMA and use CODE DMA to get up to 50% off your nightguard at checkout.
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- Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
Previous Episode
In this episode, I sit down with Meta’s Global Director of Public Policy, who also happens to be a mom of two teenagers, to discuss the realities of raising kids in a digital-first world. There is a lot that goes into ensuring our teens are safe online, and Tara explains how Instagram is becoming a leader in this arena. Whether you’re worried about screen time, inappropriate content, or online bullying, this conversation is packed with insight and practical help. Here are some topics we cover:
Related Episodes:
- How Meta uses cutting-edge technology for age verification
- The three biggest concerns parents have about social media- who can contact their teen on Instagram, whether the content their teen sees is age-appropriate, and how much time their teen is spending on social media
- Encouraging open conversations when your teen sees (or does) something online they shouldn’t
- Instagram: Tara Hopkins
Related Episodes:
- Creating a Family Tech Plan :: Andrea Davis [Ep 470]
- Cultivating a Healthy Relationship with Tech :: Joey Odom [Ep 425]
- Braving the Tech Landscape Through Connection :: Chris McKenna [Ep 424]
- Creating Digital Safe Spaces :: Chris McKenna [Ep 360]
- Function: I highly recommend Function. Learn more and join using my link. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/DMA to own your health.
- Active Skin Repair: Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code:DMA.
- Thrive Market: Skip the junk without overspending. Head over to ThriveMarket.com/DMA to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift.
Next Episode
Knox and I recently had the incredible opportunity to go on a Compassion International vision trip to El Salvador. Today, I’m joined by my friend Nicki Koziarz to help recap this life-changing experience.
Nicki is an author, Bible teacher, and podcaster—and also a mom of six, including three boys adopted from Haiti. She brings a powerful perspective on the global impact Compassion is making and the heartbreaking reality that, in many cases, poverty is the only reason a mother has to give up her child.
We dive into how Compassion is partnering with local churches to go into the hardest places—providing food, medical care, and the hope of Christ to transform lives and futures. Nicki also shares about their amazing Survival Program, which walks alongside mothers from pregnancy through a child’s first year, ensuring families have the support they need to stay together when possible.
I’m so grateful for the chance to witness firsthand what God is doing through Compassion in El Salvador—and I can't wait to share more with you in this episode.
Connect with Nicki Koziarz:
- Website: Nicki Koziarz – Author | Speaker | Bible Teacher
- Facebook: Nicki Koziarz
- Instagram: nickikoziarz
Links Mentioned:
- Last time Nicki was on the show (Ep 121)
- *Join Heather and Help End Child Poverty*
- Compassion Survival - Compassion International
Related Episodes:
- Secure Borders and the Compassionate Christian :: Bri Stensrud [Ep 455]
- Exploring Global Cultures at Home :: Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young [Ep 327]
- Compassion Changes Everything :: Jonathan Almonte [Ep 264]
Featured Sponsors:
- Outschool-Get $30 off your families first month of Outschool when you use our link: https://outschool.com/DMA and use code DMA at checkout.
- Function–In the spirit of Long Live and taking control of your health, get a $100 credit towards your annual membership at: www.functionhealth.com/DMA This $100 credit is only for the first thousand listeners
- Thrive Causemetics–Try your new trusty favorites with an exclusive set for our listeners. New customers can get the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara and a mini-sized Brilliant Eye Brightener at a special set price with free shipping at ThriveCausemetics.com/DMA.
- Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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