Making Literacy Fun Gamifying Learning and Empowering Parents at Home

In this episode of The Literacy Mindset Podcast, Jeff Pendleton talks with Catina Taylor, founder and CEO of Dreams KC, a nonprofit focused on empowering parents to become active partners in their children’s literacy journey. A former law student turned educator and advocate, Catina shares her powerful story of returning to Kansas City classrooms and realizing the urgent need to address literacy gaps. She explains how her organization equips families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support reading at home, challenging myths like “reading to your child will teach them to read” and addressing barriers such as time, resources, and adult literacy struggles.

Catina also highlights how she makes literacy engaging for families—using decodable texts, gamified activities, rap, and spoken word to build phonological awareness and confidence. She emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive materials, safe spaces for parents to learn, and fostering true partnerships between schools and families. From her belief that “literacy is liberation” to her call for educators and communities to get comfortable being uncomfortable, Catina offers both inspiration and practical strategies for breaking generational cycles and helping every child become a confident, competent reader.

Key Moments

06:08 Law Grad Turned Literacy Advocate

09:20 "Adapting Education to Parents' Needs"

13:12 Modernizing Phonological Learning 2025

15:58 Making Learning Fun & Motivating

18:26 Creating Engaging Decodable Books

21:37 Addressing Adolescent Literacy Challenges

24:47 Welcoming Educational Environments for Parents

27:24 Addressing Parents' Social-Emotional Biases

31:56 Success Formula: Will Over Resources