Talk with Me Toolkits

A Digital Tool for Promoting Caregiver-Child Interactions

Explore how to use the Smithsonian Institution’s free, online Talk with Me Toolkits (TMTs) to promote language-rich caregiver-child interactions and learning. TMTs immerse caregivers and children in digital learning activities that incorporate captivating Smithsonian artifacts, videos, children’s books, and hands-on activities.

DATE: Monday, November 10, 2025

TIME: 12 - 1 PM EST / 9 AM PST / 6 PM CST

LOCATION: Online. Register 

Learn how a team from the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy at Penn State University, Family Place Libraries, and the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Educational Technology adapted the TMTs through design-based research to inspire caregivers’ and children’s joint inquiry about new topics and concepts, vocabulary development, and critical thinking.

PRESENTERS

Dr. Esther Prins is a Professor in the Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Program at Penn State, where she also serves as the Co-Director of the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy and the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy. Dr. Prins is the co-author of Teaching and Learning about Family Literacy and Family Literacy Programs (Routledge, 2022) and co-editor of Family and Intergenerational Literacy and Learning: International Perspectives (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, 2025), as well as more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on adult and family literacy, digital literacies, and other topics.

Dr. Elisabeth L. McLean is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy, College of Education, at Penn State University. Dr. McLean has over 28 years of experience in the fields of early childhood education, family literacy, early language and literacy development, parent engagement, parent-child interactive literacy activities, policy, and parent leadership. Her work focuses on implementing, evaluating, and providing professional development to early childhood and family literacy programs that serve low-income families. 

Dr. Carol Clymer is an Associate Professor at the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy and the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy in the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University with over 45 years of experience implementing and evaluating programs for adult learners their families. She has written and managed federal, state, local, and privately funded grant projects securing millions of dollars in funding and has an extensive presentation and publication record. 

Kristen Todd-Wurm holds a Masters in Library and Information Science as well as an advanced certificate in Public Library Administration from Long Island University.  She works at the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, NY where she serves as the National Coordinator of Family Place Libraries™, which is an initiative that transforms libraries into community centers for literacy, early childhood development, parent education and family support.