Steelville R-3 Parents as Teachers

08/28/2026

Get ready to celebrate America's 250th Birthday at Harvest Festival 2026 ~ September 8 - 13, 2026 with this year's theme 🇺🇸 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬 & 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 🇺🇸

07/16/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that the Science of Reading and child-led play are somehow at odds.

I don’t believe they are.

The Science of Reading doesn’t tell us to eliminate play. It tells us which foundational skills matter for learning to read.

Oral language.

Vocabulary.

Phonological awareness.

The question isn’t whether those skills matter. We know they do.

The question is:

If the Science of Reading values oral language, vocabulary, and phonological awareness… shouldn’t we be paying closer attention to where young children naturally develop those skills?

That’s the conversation I hope we’re having more often.

Because when we recognize the literacy already happening in children’s play, we stop asking, “How can I fit more literacy into play?” and start asking, “How can I intentionally support the literacy that’s already emerging?”

I’ll be going deeper into this during my free session at the Science of Reading Summit (July 20–23), where we’ll explore how child-led play supports many of the foundational skills reading development depends on and how to make that learning visible in your classroom.

Comment SUMMIT and I’ll send you the free registration link.

06/04/2026

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but support can make a big difference.

We're excited to offer an upcoming psychoeducation opportunity for caregivers who want help with:
• Big emotions and meltdowns
• Discipline without constant conflict
• Building stronger connection with their child

This course is designed to be practical, supportive, and judgment-free.

You’ll walk away with tools you can actually use at home—not just ideas.

Spots will be limited to keep the group supportive and interactive.

Early bird registration link opens this Friday! Set your alarm to secure registration at a discounted rate.

Comment below or message us with any questions!

05/11/2026

This week's Storytimes: The Great Outdoors! From bears to butterflies and everything in between, join us for Storytime at any of our three locations!☀

🛶Bourbon: Monday at 11:00 AM
🐻Cuba: Tuesday at 11:00 AM
🌄Steelville: Thursday at 12:30 PM

05/08/2026

We were told classrooms build brains.
Truth is… brains are built long before the desk.

“Play builds the brain that school later uses.” – Dr. Gordon Neufeld

Mud pies. Climbing trees. Bare feet. Endless imagination.

This is the real curriculum.

This is where brains are built. Where curiosity takes root. Where regulation begins.

Not in rows.
Not on worksheets.

Children aren’t designed to sit still for hours on end.
They’re wired to climb higher, get messier, play longer. 🌿

This isn’t a bonus.
It’s not enrichment.

It’s the foundation.

04/21/2026

10 Reasons Why Reading to Children is Important 📚🌱✨

04/17/2026

Here are some benefits of dirt play for toddlers and preschoolers.

Things to Add to Make Dirt Play More Fun:😅

Tools: Small shovels, buckets, and rakes.
Water: Add water to make mud.
Nature Items: Sticks, rocks, leaves, and flowers.
Toys: Cars, trucks, or animal figures.
Containers: Cups, bowls, or spoons for scooping.
Seeds: Plant seeds and watch them grow.
Paintbrushes: Use water to paint on dirt.
Magnifying Glass: Check out bugs and soil up close.

04/06/2026