Reach Out and Read

The 'metaverse' is the latest tech buzzword. But what in the world is it? Josh Golin, Executive Director at Fairplay, joins us to take a closer look at what it is, what it means for kids, and how parents can identify and navigate online design that targets kids.

Adoption is a very common route to becoming a parent; yet, many don't know how to talk about it, and know little about adoption. And even those strongly considering adoption have many questions and worries. Today we're talking with leading adoption medical specialist Dr. Elaine Schulte about what non-adoptive and adoptive parents should know about attachment, family integration, and the language in and around adoption.

If you're a refugee, you're disproportionately likely to be a child — and coping with many challenges that you're developmentally unprepared to handle. Dr. Sherri Alderman and Ana Maria Dudley join us to discuss the consequences of war and displacement on children, and how we can help immediately improve - and ultimately sustain - refugee children's physical, mental, and behavioral health.

We take a closer look at early math picture books themselves in Part 2 of our series on the topic. Robie Harris, author of Crash! Boom!, and Hilary Van Dusen, senior editor at Candlewick Press, explore with us the writing, design, and craft behind these books, and how early math principles lead into compelling stories for young children.

We know that reading aloud promotes everything from language enrichment to emotional intelligence, but did you know that it also helps with learning math? Marlene Kliman, Sr. Scientist at TERC, and Kim Brenneman, Program Officer for the Heising-Simons Foundation, join us to talk about the foundational principles of early math, how that comes through in picture books for young children, and the importance of investing in early math for all communities.

Breaking News: We're pleased to introduce Reach Out and Read's new Chief Executive Officer, Marty Martinez! He joins today's podcast to share the personal and professional journey that led him to us, and what he's looking forward to in his new position.

When faced with divorce or separation, a couple that had trouble agreeing when they were together now need to agree on parenting when apart. Dr. David Hill, co-author of "Co-parenting Through Separation and Divorce: Putting Your Children First" joins us to talk about how to help parents get to a positive space for both themselves and their children, and how parenting decisions based on children's best interests is a formula for success.

We talk about the emotional and physical architecture of NICU reading programs and their effect on babies, their families, and the medical staff who implement them, in Part 2 of our "Reading in the NICU" series. Dr. Viral Jain explains how these programs give parents a way to reclaim some element of their role, and how providers can offer practical reading help and guidance to NICU families. And, a song!

Parents love seeing their children experience feelings of joy, happiness, and success. Conversely, they often feel a desire to protect their children against feeling sadness, anxiety or a sense of loss. But is that best? And is it even possible? Newbery award-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly and Behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Nerissa Bauer join us to discuss how to parent kids when they're faced with challenging emotions.

In this engaging discussion, Rachel Giannini, an early childhood specialist and advocate featured in the documentary 'No Small Matter,' shares her insights on the critical state of early education in the U.S. She highlights the stark divide in perceptions of education for children under five and the need for equitable funding. Rachel emphasizes the importance of interaction-focused classrooms and the vital role of caregivers in supporting young learners. She also critiques the limitations of virtual preschool, advocating for personal connections in early childhood education.