Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom

In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, hosts Emily Smith and Kristin Smith — staff developers at Advancing Literacy at Teachers College, Columbia University — explore how families and caregivers can nurture a lifelong love of fiction reading in children of all ages. Drawing on research by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop (windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors), brain science, and vocabulary development studies, they discuss how fiction builds empathy, expands language, and helps kids navigate real-life challenges. The episode also offers practical tips for making fiction reading a joyful part of everyday life.

Episode Resources and Book Recommendations: 
The Coquíes Still Sing by Karina Nicole González 
El Niño by Pam Muñoz Ryan
The Bletchley Riddle by Steve Sheinkin
Chinese Menu by Grace Lin
Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Love of Fiction Reading - color | black/white
Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy. 

If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes. 
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.
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What types of books should beginning readers spend time reading? In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, we dive into decodable books — what they are, why they matter for beginning readers, and the research behind them. We'll break down the use of decodable books in plain language, share what makes a decodable book a good one, and give you practical tips for reading alongside your young learner. If your child is a beginning reader or if you just want to learn more and feel more confident with the support you provide, this one's for you.

Episode Resources and Book Recommendations: 
Supporting Your Beginning Reader Beyond the Classroom - color and black and white 
The Day the Books Disappeared by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin
Ruthie Rose’s Big Idea by John Schu
Plátanos are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
Little Rebels by Yuyi Morales 
Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
How to Bird by Rasha Hamid
Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy. 

If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes.
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.

How can family members and caregivers support kids’ literacy development outside of school, beyond the classroom? In this introductory episode, Emily Butler Smith, Amanda Hartman and Natalie Louis share research, insights, and practical advice on supporting literacy development and connection with students of all ages. Bringing their experience as former classroom teachers and current staff developers, parents, and caregivers, they consider the everyday opportunities for joyful and meaningful literacy growth.

Episode Resources and Book Recommendations: 
Five Practical Tips for Supporting Literacy at Home (Color) and Five Practical Tips for Supporting Literacy at Home (Black and White)
How to Raise an Adult Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims
Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain by Zaretta Hammond
Bud Finds Her Gift by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle
Max in the House of Spies -The Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz
J vs. K by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft
Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
Rising from the Ashes by Paula Yoo
Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy.

If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series, and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes. 
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.

Introducing Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom – a new podcast series designed for families, caregivers, and educators who want to support young readers and writers at home.
From early literacy to essay writing, AI tools to choosing great books, we're covering it all for PreK-12 students. Join us each month for a new episode where we'll explore practical strategies grounded in the latest research.
Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy.
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.