Welcome to the Read Play Talk Podcast!
This podcast is a resource for parents and caregivers as we educate on the importance of reading, playing, and talking with children every day. The Read Play Talk Podcast is hosted by Jack Love and Lindsay Paris.
Find all podcast episodes below
2024
September 26, 2024
Mesquite ISD is excited to offer Little Readers on every elementary campus starting this fall! Little Readers is a program designed for families with children ages 0-5, where families will get to experience a story time as well as engaging activities. Listen to our interview with Emma McDonald and Lauren Jones from Mesquite ISD Library Services to learn more about this program.
Click here to see all Little Readers dates, times, and locations
September 3, 2024
It's that time of year again! LENA Start will begin soon on eleven elementary campuses in Mesquite ISD. In this episode, we interview LENA Start Program Facilitator, Thelma Fuentes, about fall groups and the benefits that previous families are seeing from participating in the program.
Click here to see details on Fall LENA Start groups
July 31, 2024
PreK is a great supplement for the work that caregivers are doing with their child at home. In this episode, we interview Jean Pricer about Mesquite ISD's PreK program, how families can qualify, and how they can get their child signed up today!
June 27, 2024
Read Play Talk partners with the public libraries in Mesquite and Balch Springs year-round, as both institutions provide wonderful resources to families in our community. In this episode, we talk with Jessica Lucero and Stacy Holguin about the Balch Springs Public Library.
May 22, 2024
Local author Angela Henderson Smith talks with us in this episode on how families can incorporate reading and writing activities at home with their children.
Learn more about Angela here
May 1, 2024
Did you know that Mesquite ISD offers FREE family education classes once a week? The Family Engagement department serves hundreds of families through these classes, and they would love for you to join them. In this episode, we talk with two families who have attend Family Engagement classes for years about the impact these classes have had on their families.
March 5, 2024
It's the most wonderful time of the year! In this episode, we give families all the details about the upcoming Read Play Talk Fair. We hope you'll join us for the event on Saturday, March 23 from 9:00am - 12:00pm at Mesquite High School.
February 20, 2024
Did you know that there are different ways that children feel and show love? In this episode, one of our favorites Kelly Smith is back to help walk us through the five love languages of children.
2023
December 13, 2023
Mesquite ISD has identified Family and Community Engagement (FACE) as a major district priority. In this episode, we interview FACE Coordinator Cynthia Patino about the district's efforts to connect with families in our community.
October 24, 2023
Fall is in the air, and you know what that means - it's time for the Read Play Talk Festival! In this episode, we talk with CTE Facilitator Chelsea Hogue about adding a CTE showcase to the event this year. We hope you'll join us at the event on Saturday, October 28 from 11:00am - 2:00pm at Town East Mall.
September 26, 2023
Read Play Talk Community Partners are so creative in finding ways to support early literacy! In this episode, we talk with the Balch Springs Animal Shelter about how their program Tales to Tails invites kids to practice their reading skills with a unique (and adorable) audience.
August 29, 2023
Child Find refers to the federal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Educate Act (IDEA) that all children in need of special education services are identified, located, and evaluated. In this episode with talk with MISD Coordinator of Special Education Casey Allen.
Click here to learn more about Child Find
July 18, 2023
Summer can be a tough time for kids and families, especially when it comes to regulating emotions. In this episode, we talk with MISD Coordinator of Elementary Guidance and 504 Amanda Carroll on how families can support their child's emotions this summer.
June 20, 2023
Are you wondering how to ensure your child avoids the "summer slide" this year? MISD Early Literacy Specialist Alissa Tubbs about how families can best support their child's reading this summer.
May 31, 2023
It's totally normal for behavior issues to arise during the summer months! MISD Behavior Specialist Kelly Smith is our guest on this episode to encourage parents and give them some practical tips on how to support their child this summer.
May 2, 2023
ChildCareGroup's mission is to champion a strong two-generation system that teaches children and parents, trains early childhood professionals, and assists families. Read Play Talk partners with ChildCareGroup year-round, and we are excited for you to learn more about them in today's episode.
March 21, 2023
We hope you'll join us for the 5th annual Read Play Talk Fair! In this episode, we give families all the details on what to expect at this event.
February 28, 2023
Mesquite ISD and the public libraries in Mesquite and Balch Springs have worked hard to develop a Library Share Card for all MISD students! In this episode, MISD Director of Library Services Emma McDonald share details on the benefits of this project and how students can get their own Library Share Card.
January 17, 2023
Have you ever wondered what LENA Start looks like on an elementary campus? In this episode, Veronica Armendariz from Porter Elementary School gives families all the details on what to expect when they enroll in a LENA Start group on a campus.
2022
December 13. 2022
Wow! What a year! In this episode, Jack and Lindsay give a year in review for 2022.
November 22, 2022
Who loves Whataburger? We do!!
In this episode, we talk with Mindy Corkern about how Whataburger continuously supports Read Play Talk and the Mesquite community in general.
October 18, 2022
Listen to this episode to learn all the details of what families can expect at the 2022 Read Play Talk Festival! We hope to see you there!
September 20, 2022
In this episode, we interview Family Engagement Facilitator Cynthia Patino about the FREE family education classes that are offered each week to families in Mesquite ISD.
July 26, 2022
We want all family members to be reading, playing, and talking with children every day - including grandparents! In this episode, we talking with Dr. Joy Vroonland about the intentional ways that she interacts with her grandchildren.
July 6, 2022
Mesquite Parks and Recreation and Read Play Talk collaborate on multiple events together throughout the year. In this episode, Yvonne Lane from Parks and Rec talks with us about the ways that they work to engage families.
May 10, 2022
Join us as we chat with new Mesquite ISD Superintendent Angel Rivera. He shares with us about his hopes and plans for Mesquite ISD as he serves in this new role.
April 5, 2022
When Dr. V came in Mesquite ISD in 2015, Read Play Talk was one of the first initiatives that he introduced to the district. As he finishes up his time as MISD Superintendent, he shares his hope and vision for Mesquite ISD.
March 8, 2022
She's back for round two! Dr. Audrey Robinson joins us again and shares with families about the importance of giving kids choices.
February 8, 2022
Dr. Audrey Robinson is our guest today and she explains to families how to set limits with their kids and why limits are beneficial to a child's development. Spoiler alert - she'll be on our episode next month with more nuggets of wisdom!
2021
December 13, 2021
Mesquite ISD is proud to offer LENA Start to families in our community! In this episode, we talk with Brittaney Robinson from LENA about LENA's mission and the work they are doing to engage families.
October 20, 2021
Have you ever wondered why Read Play Talk hosts community events throughout the year? In this episode, we discuss the importance of these community events as well as details on the upcoming Read Play Talk Festival.
September 28, 2021
In this episode, we are talking with Jean Pricer about ways that families can support their child's learning during the school year.
August 18, 2021
Did you know that Mesquite ISD offers a free parent education program for families with children under the age of three? In this episode, you'll hear from a parent who recently completed the program about her experience and how the program benefitted her child.
July 6, 2021
We are so grateful for our partners at the Mesquite Public Library! In this episode, we talk with Sarah Dawson from the North Branch of the Mesquite Public Library about the programs and resources offered at the library.
May 25, 2021
Mesquite ISD is challenging their students and staff to read 21 million pages this year. Library Systems Manager Emma McDonald gives all the details about the challenge and how to participate.
April 27, 2021
Have you ever felt like screens are taking over your children's lives? That's how one of our hosts, Lindsay Paris, felt. In this episode, she talks about the changes she implemented within her family and the benefits of those changes.
March 9, 2021
Read Play Talk has partnered with Mesquite ISD's Teaching & Learning department to offer free Read Play Talk Parenting Classes. Andrea Bailey, MISD Coordinator for Elementary Language Arts, shares all the details about these classes in today's episode.
February 9, 2021
In this episode, we discuss the third practice in our name - talk. Natalie Evans, founder of Puzzle Piece Kids in Mesquite, discusses the many ways that talking with your child benefits their development.
January 12, 2021
We've been working on a big project, and we can't wait for you to see it! The Read Play Talk Bus will be heading your way soon. In this episode, we talk with MISD Trustee Eddie Rose about the Read Play Talk Bus and where this idea came from.