Reach Out and Read

Parenting is often tough. While our society has better normalized talking about the highs, lows, and the in-betweens of raising children, there's still a lot that's hard to say publicly. Keith Gessen, author of the new book Raising Raffi, takes on these challenges, asks the many unvoiced questions, and does so as someone not heard as frequently in the parenting book space: the perspective of a father.

As in other times, women in the late 1910s-20s from all over the U.S. looked for parenting advice. Who did they ask? The federal government, believe it or not. They flooded the Children's Bureau, a division of the Department of Labor, with letters about their worries and concerns around raising children. Molly Ladd-Taylor, author of "Raising a Baby the Government Way: Mothers' Letters to the Children's Bureau", joins us to share the story behind the letters and what they can tell us about what has changed - and what hasn't - regarding maternal and infant care.

What can a piece of clothing tell us about how a child lived? How can parent interactions be revealed through a pair of gloves? What might a baby's quilt tell us about family dynamics? Dr. Sarah Anne Carter, Executive Director of the Center for Design and Material Culture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Human Ecology takes us on a field trip into the Center's vast collection to examine childhood objects throughout history, and how these objects can help tell the stories of the children who used them.

Using the talents of both writing and illustrating to offer messages encapsulated within compelling stories through children's books is difficult. Yet, Shabazz Larkin is an artist, author, illustrator, and activist who manages to do just that. He joins us today to talk about his craft, and the unique way he has been able to weave healthy messages surrounding food and nutrition into his work for children and their families.

Is a museum with words and not objects still a museum? Yes! Planet Word, a unique museum in Washington DC, houses immersive experiences dedicated to the celebration of words and language. Ann Friedman, Founder and CEO of Planet Word, joins us to talk about Planet Word's overall mission and atypical design - both of which are deeply grounded in language arts and science.

The human brain doesn't come wired to read. Remarkably, recognizing, decoding, and comprehending a single word takes many different repurposed brain circuits working together. Dr Maryanne Wolf, Dir. of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA breaks down the science of the reading brain — from the neuroscientific importance of oral language, to recognizing the alphabet, reading words, and ultimately, the experience of novel thought while reading.

Feeding and being fed isn't merely a nutritional transaction — it's also an emotional and relational act inexorably linked to the act of caring. Dr. Natalie Muth, a pediatrician and founder and director of the Children's Primary Care Medical Group W.E.L.L. clinic, joins us to talk about how we can navigate the challenges of eating with children, and how it fits into early relational health.

Young children are born with a natural sense of wonder: an instinctual and powerful drive to explore and learn about their world. Dr. Frank Keil, professor of Psychology at Yale University and author of the new book "Wonder: Childhood and the Lifelong Love of Science", joins us to talk about young children and how to recognize and encourage wonder —and, perhaps even more importantly—not to stifle it as they get older.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Bernard Dreyer, Director of Pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital and a leader in child poverty advocacy, delves into the staggering reality of child poverty in the U.S. He explains the nuances of poverty measures and why current metrics often underestimate the issue. Dr. Dreyer highlights the direct impact of food insecurity on children's education and examines structural causes of persistent poverty. He also shares actionable solutions, including unconditional cash transfers and early childhood supports, to alleviate these challenges.

How can we support children? By supporting their parents - particularly during the most critical years of their children's development. Dr. Dana Suskind, author of the new book "Parent Nation", joins us to explain how through a combination of interdisciplinary science and large-scale advocacy we can build a society where parents - and as a result their children - are supported in all aspects of life.