Building Stronger Family-School Partnerships in Literacy with Maya Smart
In this episode of the Route2Reading Podcast, I sit down with Maya Smart to explore how we can build stronger, more meaningful partnerships between schools and families to support early literacy.
Maya brings a powerful parent perspective to this conversation, helping us rethink how we communicate with families, what parents truly need to know, and how we can better invite them into the literacy process.
We talk about shifting from “sending work home” to building real partnerships, simplifying communication, and helping parents understand not just what to do—but why it matters.
If you’ve ever struggled with how to support families or felt like that connection piece is missing, this episode will give you a clear and practical way forward.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Why parents should be seen as “literacy leaders” in their child’s development
The role of oral language, conversation, and vocabulary in building reading success
How to explain reading concepts (like phonemic awareness) in ways parents actually understand
A simple communication shift: explaining what, why, and how for each child
How everyday routines (car rides, meals, bedtime) can build literacy skills
The power of back-and-forth conversation in language development
A simple, no-prep framework for families: TALK (Take turns, Ask questions, Label, Keep it going)
Why teachers should invite—not assign—family involvement
How to make family communication more specific, inclusive, and actionable
The importance of giving parents clear, individualized next steps
How family involvement in literacy is evolving—and why it matters more than ever
Key Takeaways
Parents are not just helpers—they are powerful literacy leaders
Conversation is one of the most impactful tools for building reading success
Clear, simple communication builds confidence and partnership
Families don’t need more—they need clarity and specific next steps
Strong literacy outcomes require both school and home working together
Links:
Website: https://mayasmart.com
Instagram: @mayasmarty
Book: Reading for Our Lives: The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child
Want More?
Explore more Science of Reading PD, decodables, small-group planning tools, coaching sessions, and literacy resources at Route2Reading inside the Literacy Edventures Membership.
