The Story Behind
Literacy Playground

Three women posing together, two standing and one sitting on a white sofa, in casual attire against a plain white background.

For years, I (Mohini) traveled the world as an educator—teaching in classrooms from Dubai to Taipei to San Jose. I earned my Master’s in Elementary Teaching and absorbed innovative, research-backed strategies to help children develop strong literacy skills. But despite all the tools and techniques I had, something was missing.

When the pandemic hit, I found myself in front of a screen, trying to engage 30 young learners over Zoom—an impossible task for kids who need to move, interact, and learn through hands-on experiences. I watched as struggling readers and writers—many with learning difficulties—slipped further behind. Schools and teachers were overwhelmed, and parents were left frustrated, stressed, and searching for answers.

It was then that I saw the real problem:

There was no clear, evidence-based support for parents to help their kids with reading and writing at home.
Children were being asked to sit in front of screens rather than engage in the multi-sensory, hands-on learning they actually needed.
And worst of all, kids were losing their confidence—feeling defeated before they even had the chance to succeed.

Person creating a personalized learning plan on a computer with text overlay "Created a personalized learning plan at 9AM."

Determined to bridge the gap between home and school, I launched Literacy Playground in 2022—a personalized, screen-free approach to raising confident readers and writers.

As classrooms reopened, another challenge emerged: kids weren’t just struggling academically; they were struggling emotionally and socially. That’s why Literacy Playground is designed to strengthen the parent-child relationship—bringing joy, connection, and confidence into the learning process.

We make reading and writing feel fun and accessible.
We use inclusive books and hands-on activities to meet kids where they are.
We help parents feel empowered—not overwhelmed—with easy, research-backed strategies that take just 15 minutes a day.

Two women smiling in front of a blue background, one standing and one seated. The standing woman is wearing a white blouse and jeans while the seated woman is in a light blue dress.

In 2024, I met Katherine, a former teacher and new mom. She became a teacher because, as a child, she struggled with reading aloud and never wanted her students to feel the same dread she once did. She began creating tools for teachers, and when I saw her work, I knew she was the perfect person to help take Literacy Playground to the next level.

Her mantra? “Mistakes mean your brain is growing!”

And that’s exactly what we believe, too.

Together, we’re on a mission to help children develop a positive, joyful relationship with reading and writing—no matter their starting point. Because when kids believe in themselves, they thrive.

As parents, you know your child best. We’re here to empower you with the tools, strategies, and support to help your child grow into a confident reader and writer—one step at a time.

Enter Katherine

Meet Mohini

Literacy Specialist and Founder

Woman in black bohemian dress with orange patterns and cowboy boots standing against a white wall.

Reading and writing made my creativity run wild as a child! Knowing how to read and write well has made me a lifelong learner who believes that life is full of opportunities and possibilities! I want that for your kids.

I hold a Master’s degree in Elementary Teaching (American University in Dubai) and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Santa Clara University). I have eight years of teaching experience as both an elementary classroom teacher and interventionist. I wrote my master’s thesis about nurturing a sense of belonging in multicultural classrooms. Throughout my career I’ve worked closely with students with learning difficulties. I’m always thinking of creative ways to support both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners.

Meet Katherine

COMMUNITY MANAGER

Smiling woman with blond hair wearing a blue polka dot dress against a pink background.

I have seven years of teaching experience across 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades and hold a Master's degree in Education with a specialization in best teaching practices.

My passion for literacy grew while teaching 1st grade, where I was able to support the journey of beginning readers. It is such a joy watching children have that "ah ha" moment when everything clicks for them! My goal is to inspire all children to see themselves as readers and writers.

I love spending time with my husband and our one-year-old daughter. We love traveling and trying new coffee shops!

Fun Fact: All of my family is from New Orleans, I’m the only one who was born in California!

Meet Kiele

SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT

Woman in black t-shirt smiling against pink background.

Kiele is a Bay Area native and a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, Class of 2023. In 2024, she founded KKP Social Media as a creative outlet to help brands elevate their social media presence and marketing strategies.

Towards the end of 2024, Kiele joined Literacy Playground, inspired by her passion for supporting children and fostering creativity. As the eldest of six siblings, Kiele has always had a natural connection with children, which is reflected in her work. With her background in teaching engineering and coding to kids, she finds joy in contributing to a brand that empowers and educates the next generation.