The Children's Hour

Grammy winning storyteller and author Bill Harley joins The Children’s Hour for a joyful hour of music and storytelling. From hilarious songs about whining and walking around the moon to a true story from second grade about courage and friendship, Bill reminds us that the moments that happen to kids every day really matter. Listen in for laughter, sing-alongs, and inspiration from one of the nation’s most beloved children’s performers. The post Bill Harley appeared first on The Children's Hour.

The Kids Crew explores the amazing world of whales. Learn how these giant ocean mammals breathe, migrate across oceans, and communicate through songs that travel for miles underwater. This episode also explains why protecting whale habitats is important for the health of our planet. The post Whales appeared first on The Children's Hour.

We take a step back in time, to over 80 years ago to World War II, one of the biggest conflicts in human history, which changed modern humanity forever. Learn from Ms. Teresa Rand Bridges' bilingual 5th grade class at Alvarado Elementary, a public school in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Celebrate the year in kids’ radio and music with The Children’s Hour Best of 2025. Hear favorite moments from the Kids Crew’s interviews and shows, along with songs from Grammy-nominated children’s artists. It’s a joyful look back at a year filled with learning, laughter, and discovery.

Celebrate the season with Holidays 2025, a joyful Children’s Hour episode filled with winter songs, multicultural traditions, kid-friendly stories, and festive music. Enjoy classic carols, new holiday tracks, and cheerful moments perfect for families, classrooms, and holiday listening. The post Holidays 2025 appeared first on The Children's Hour.

This time on The Children’s Hour we explore mushrooms with mycology educator and author, Peter McCoy. This episode comes with a companion learning guide.

We celebrate being yourself with author Jane Yolen and cartoonist Craig Yoe as we explore creativity, confidence, and joy in being authentic.

The Kids Crew and Katie Stone explore the most powerful organ in the human body—our brain! Joined by Ingrid Lane and Nick Aase from the Mind Research Network at the University of New Mexico, they uncover how the brain controls everything we do, from breathing and moving to thinking and feeling. Find the episode page, learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/the-brain Listeners learn about the brain’s different parts—like the frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes—and how they each control special functions such as hearing, seeing, speaking, and decision-making. The guests explain how neurons communicate with tiny electrical signals and chemicals, creating the thoughts, memories, and emotions that make each of us unique. The crew also discovers how the two sides of the brain work together, what “neuroplasticity” means, and why our brains can rewire and change even as we get older. They explore how scientists use special machines like MRI and MEG to see brain activity and learn how our minds adapt and grow through life. Finally, the Kids Crew finds out how animal brains compare with ours and why calling someone a “bird brain” isn’t an insult at all—because birds are incredibly smart! The Brain was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Amber Schiel writes our learning guides. We are grateful to BirdNote for use of their content in today’s episode. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved .

This time on The Children’s Hour, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving in a musical special dedicated to gratitude, family, and appreciation of each another. The science is clear that focusing on being grateful actually makes us happier. That’s why it’s so important to take a moment to count our blessings, including our time we have with one another. We’re finding the joy in every moment, in this Thanksgiving musical Children’s Hour. Find the episode page with the learning guide and activities at https://childrenshour.org/our-thanks/ Gratitude matters, and this episode of The Children's Hour is in celebration of our thanks to you, our listeners!  Thank you for your devotion and dedication to The Children's Hour. The science is clear that focusing on being grateful actually makes us happier. That’s why it’s so important to take a moment to pause from the daily rush, and count our blessings, including our precious time we have with one another, and the bounty of our planet Earth.  From all of us at The Children's Hour, we wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! This episode was produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Amber Schiel writes our learning guides. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. ©2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved

Lemurs are some of the most amazing primates in the world. These furry animals are only found in Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew and Katie Stone meet Faye Goodwin, an educator from the Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina. Together they explore what makes lemurs unique, how they live, and the challenges they face in the wild. Find the learning guide for this episode at https://childrenshour.org/lemurs/ We discover that lemurs are the earliest primates on Earth, and that our family tree connects to theirs going back more than 65 million years. Listeners find out why lemurs are often mistaken for other animals, what makes their noses “wet,” and how their special tooth comb helps them groom. We also learn about ring-tailed lemurs and their “stink fights,” the role of their long tails in climbing cliffs, and what they eat—from fruits and leaves to bugs and even flowers. The show explains why Madagascar is the only place in the world where lemurs live naturally, and how humans cutting down forests has put them in danger. Faye Goodwin describes how the Duke Lemur Center works to save these animals by studying them, protecting their habitat, and helping people in Madagascar find ways to grow food without destroying more forest. Listeners learn about extinct giant lemurs, predators like the fossa, and how climate change is affecting their survival. We also hear from Extinction Diaries, who explain just how endangered lemurs are and why it’s so important to act now. This episode is full of surprising facts, fascinating science, and real-world solutions that show how everyone can help protect lemurs. Lemurs was produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Amber Shiel writes our learning guides, which you can find at childrenshour.org. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved

On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn all about composers — the people who write music. Have you ever wondered how songs are created? A composer is the person who puts the notes together, making melodies that can be played by singers, choirs, or even a whole orchestra. Some composers lived hundreds of years ago, and their music is still played today. Others are writing brand-new songs right now that teach, entertain, and inspire us. Find the full episode page and learning guide at: https://childrenshour.org/composers We start with Johann Sebastian Bach, who lived during the Baroque period. Bach worked very hard to invent his own musical style, and even when he had struggles, he kept writing. Next we meet Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was a child prodigy. Mozart started playing the piano at three years old and composed his first song at five! Then we learn about Ludwig van Beethoven, who created some of the most powerful music ever written, even after he lost his hearing. These great composers changed the way the world thinks about music. But composers are not just in the past. Today, we hear from Bill Sherman, a modern composer who worked on Hamilton, In The Heights, Sesame Street, and Jam Van. Bill tells us how he makes songs, why it’s important to keep trying, and how music can bring people together. Along the way, you’ll hear pieces that show how music from long ago and music from today are connected. This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and co-produced by our Junior Producer and Intern, Thaniel Lentz, with production support from Katie Stone, Sarah Gabrielli and Chris Tsakis. The Children’s Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

It’s Halloween time on The Children’s Hour! In this episode, we celebrate pumpkins, jack-o’-lanterns, costumes, and trick-or-treating. Our Kids Crew shares their own traditions, from trunk-or-treat clothing drives to festive parades in northern New Mexico. We’ll find out why some houses put teal pumpkins outside their doors, and learn how this helps kids with food allergies have a safe and fun holiday. Find the learning guide and activities at https://childrenshour.org/pumpkin-spice Corbit uncovers the spooky story of Stingy Jack and how jack-o’-lanterns began, while Isaac explores the history, varieties, and surprising facts about pumpkins. We even discover why pumpkins are considered a fruit, how Native Americans first used them, and the many shapes, colors, and flavors they come in today. One of the strangest traditions in Halloween is trick or treating. Why do we go door to door and bother our neighbors, banging on their doors and asking for candy or other treats? The tradition is not as old as you might think, according to our host Katie Stone. We also hear from Charlotte Joseph of the Anaphylactic Food Allergy Support New Mexico Network, who explains the Teal Pumpkin Project and how we can all make Halloween more inclusive. Plus, there are lots of Halloween songs throughout the show to keep the fun rolling! From all of us at The Children’s Hour, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween! Bring a flashlight if you trick or treat, and remember if the porch lights are out, skip that house. 
This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, and Thaniel Lentz. Learning materials were created by Amber Shiel. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Trees have birthdays too, and scientists find out when they are by studying tree rings. This episode comes with a learning guide.

The Kids Crew discover the animals living right outside our doors. From prairie dogs, coyotes, and roadrunners in New Mexico to monkeys in Thailand, stray dogs in India, koalas in Australia, and wildlife in Brazil, we learn how animals adapt to city life. With expert guest Cooper Freeman and research from junior producer Thaniel Lentz, we explore the challenges and joys of living alongside wild creatures everywhere. Find the full episode post at: https://www.childrenshour.org/animals-in-the-backyard/ Everywhere people live, animals live too. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore the creatures that share our backyards, neighborhoods, and cities. From prairie dogs in New Mexico to coyotes in Albuquerque, and even monkeys in Thailand, the Kids Crew and our guests help us see the wild world right outside our windows. Our intern and junior producer, Thaniel Lentz, researched the many animals that thrive in cities, suburbs, and rural places. He explains how prairie dogs create underground towns that provide shelter for owls, ferrets, and reptiles, even as their own populations shrink. We also learn about roadrunners, who dash at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, and coyotes, clever enough to use stoplights to cross busy streets. Guest Cooper Freeman, Alaska Director for the Center for Biological Diversity, describes what it’s like to live with bear, moose, lynx, and even musk ox right outside your door. He explains how climate change is shifting animal habitats northward and what people can do to live safely and respectfully with wildlife. We also travel around the globe: to Thailand, where monkeys roam city streets and even enjoy an annual buffet feast; to India, where millions of stray dogs live alongside people; to Australia, where koalas and magpies turn up in backyards; and to Brazil, where conservationists are restoring wildlife to the Tijuca urban rainforest. Along the way, we hear music, poetry, and stories inspired by animals. The Kids Crew remind us that no matter where you live, wild creatures are never far away. This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Thaniel Lentz, our junior producer and intern, with production help from Katie Stone and Sara Gabrielli. Amber Schiel writes our learning guides, which can be found at ChildrensHour.org. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization. We are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. ©2025 The Children’s Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore balloons. From party balloons to weather balloons, and from the first hot air balloons in 18th-century France to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the Kids Crew dives into the history, science, art, and wonder of ballooning. Find the full episode page, including a companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/balloons/ We learn how the Montgolfier brothers sent a sheep, a duck, and a chicken up in the very first hot air balloon in 1783, and how gas-filled balloons soon followed. The Kids Crew discover the science that makes balloons float, and we hear how balloons are still used today in weather forecasting, reaching as high as 100,000 feet to collect atmospheric data. We go behind the scenes at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest balloon gathering in the world, and experience the magic of “the box,” a wind pattern that allows balloons to return to their starting point. Our crew shares sounds from balloon chases, night glows, and even a ride in a special-shaped balloon. We also meet 12-year-old composer Evan Daitz, who turned the sound of hot air balloon burners into his symphony A Balloon’s Breath, performed by professional musicians at Chatter in Santa Fe. The kids in the Extinction Diaries at KFOI have a message about releasing helium balloons. It turns out they are catastrophic for animals, who mistake them for food and typically choke or starve after eating them. Balloons bring wonder, beauty, and inspiration, but they also remind us to take care of our Earth. There are practical scientific applications for releasing balloons into nature, including the enormous weather balloons that you may see floating in the sky in the middle of the day. These are released daily from hundreds of locations worldwide, and help meteorologists predict the weather, and climate scientists see longterm weather patterns.  Get blown away with us as we learn about ballooning this time on The Children's Hour. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with help from Jena Ritchey, Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, Thaniel Lentz. Special thanks to David Felberg and the musicians at Chatter for their performance of A Balloon’s Breath. This episode was recorded at KUNM-fm, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and the Sunspot Solar Studio, all in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Children’s Hour is a production of The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization. We are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. ©2006 - 2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Everything we do uses energy, but not all energy is the same. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn about renewable energy—power that comes from sources we can use again and again without running out. Find the learning guide, activities, and full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/renewable-energy Our Kids Crew wondered: what exactly makes energy “renewable”? Experts joined us to explain. Rebecca “Puck” Stair, director of New Mexico’s State Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, told us how sunshine and wind keep giving us free power every day. Jim Desjardins, of the Renewable Energy Industries Association of New Mexico, showed how solar panels turn sunlight into electricity we use at home. Dr. Sherry Kelly, a geologist from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and New Mexico Tech, explained geothermal energy—how heat deep underground can be used to make electricity. We discovered the many forms of renewable energy: Solar, which works almost everywhere and gets even better when paired with batteries. Wind, which spins turbines day and night to make power. Geothermal, clean energy that comes from Earth’s heat and runs all the time. Hydroelectric, both traditional dams and new storage systems that save power for later. Even wave and tidal energy, capturing the force of the ocean. The Kids Crew asked tough questions: Why do fossil fuels harm our planet? What makes greenhouse gases so dangerous? Can renewable energy replace all fossil fuels before they run out? Our guests explained how carbon dioxide and methane trap heat like a greenhouse, why change takes time, and how countries like Iceland are already running fully on renewables. We also talked about what kids and families can do—speak up, make small changes like using less plastic or conserving energy, and dream about careers in the growing renewable energy industry. Most of all, our guests reminded us that kids’ voices matter most, because the future belongs to you. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabriellie and Thaniel Lentz. Chad Scheer records our shows at Outpost Performance Space, and Amber Shiel writes our learning guides. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization. We are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network, and supported by listeners like you. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of The Children’s Hour, junior producer and intern Thaniel Lentz takes us through the incredible history and science of animation. From early tools like the zoetrope and flipbooks to famous characters like Felix the Cat and Mickey Mouse, we learn how still pictures came to life. Thaniel explains how Disney’s Snow White used cels to transform animation, and how computers made it possible to create 3D films like Toy Story and Into the Spider-Verse. This episode is a celebration of imagination and the artists who make drawings move. Find the full episode page, learning guide, links, videos and more at https://childrenshour.org/animation Our show begins with the earliest history of animation. While many people think that animation has only existed since the invention of film, animation has actually been around for centuries. One example of a classical animation technology is the zoetrope. The image below shows a sculpture zoetrope, and the video demonstrates an image zoetrope. Next, we meet some of the first cartoon stars: Felix the Cat, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and Mickey Mouse. Thaniel tells us how Walt Disney and his team made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated movie, using “cel animation”—where clear sheets let characters move without redrawing the background every time. This saved artists time and made cartoons smoother and more detailed. We begin with early inventions like the magic lantern, a box with a candle inside that could project pictures on a wall. Thaniel explains how tools like the phenakistoscope and zoetrope used spinning images to create movement. We try flipbooks and learn how even simple drawings can show motion if you flip them fast enough. Next, we meet some of the first cartoon stars: Felix the Cat, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and Mickey Mouse. Thaniel tells us how Walt Disney and his team made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated movie, using “cel animation”—where clear sheets let characters move without redrawing the background every time. This saved artists time and made cartoons smoother and more detailed. Thaniel also teaches us the Twelve Principles of Animation, used by animators everywhere to make movement more lifelike and fun. We learn about "squash and stretch" (which makes characters bounce and bend), "anticipation" (getting ready for a big action), and "exaggeration" (making things more dramatic for laughs or emotion). Then, we leap into the computer age and discover how animation changed with new technology. We hear about The Adventures of André and Wally B., the first short by the company that became Pixar, and how Toy Story became the world’s first full 3D animated movie. Thaniel explains how computers help animators “rig” characters like puppets, so they don’t need to be redrawn again and again. Finally, we explore how today’s movies like Into the Spider-Verse, Wolfwalkers, and The Wild Robot use a mix of hand-drawn art and digital tools to create bold, unique animation styles. From chalkboards to CGI, Thaniel shows us how artists keep finding new ways to bring imagination to life. This episode was written and produced by our Junior Producer and Intern Thaniel Lentz, with help from Katie Stone and Sarah Gabrielli. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to creating high-quality children’s public radio. We’re distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network, and we’re supported by listeners like you. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Have you ever looked up and spotted a bright red dot in the night sky? That’s Mars — our neighbor in the solar system, and a planet full of mysteries. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we journey to the Red Planet with planetary volcanologist Dr. Larry Crumpler from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He works directly with NASA’s Perseverance Rover, which is exploring Mars right now! Find the full episode page and learning guide at https://childrenshour.org/mars We learn why Mars is red, discover its enormous volcanoes and deep canyons, and find out what makes it similar to Earth. Dr. Crumpler explains how rovers land, what they do once they’re there, and how they help us look for signs of life. We hear about Mars’ two tiny moons, its wild dust storms, and why it’s so dry. You’ll also discover how scientists might make oxygen on Mars and what it would take to send people there in the future. Our Kids Crew wonders if there’s life on Mars, how rovers survive the cold, and what the first humans might find. With music about space and plenty of questions, this show is your ticket to an out-of-this-world adventure. Find pictures, links, and learning materials for classrooms and families at ChildrensHour.org — look for “Mars.” This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Chad Sheer was our recording engineer at Outpost Performance Space, and Amber Schiel writes our learning guides. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Birthdays are something many kids look forward to every year. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we celebrate everything about birthdays! From candles and cakes to songs, games, and traditions around the globe, our Kids Crew explores what makes a birthday special in different places and cultures. We also find out how birthday customs have changed over time, and where ideas like singing “Happy Birthday” or hitting a piñata came from. Find the episode page at https://childrenshour.org/birthdays/ You’ll hear about birthday traditions in places like Vietnam, where everyone celebrates on the same day during Tet; and in India, where kids wear new clothes and honor their parents. In Brazil, kids get their ears gently pulled—once for every year! In Egypt, birthday parties are full of flowers and even more than one cake. The Kids Crew also takes us to Denmark, where the whole neighborhood knows you’re celebrating because your family flies a flag outside your house! Back in New Mexico, we talk about quinceañeras, where turning 15 is a big deal for girls in Mexican and Hispanic cultures. We also learn the history behind the birthday song and find out where the tradition of putting candles on cakes started. And we take time to remember kids who celebrate the day they were adopted. If you’ve ever had a birthday, or wanted to know how others mark theirs, this show is for you! This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, Executive Producer and Host with production support from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., distributed by Native Voice One, and supported by listeners like you. Find more at ChildrensHour.org/birthdays © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Have you ever wished your classroom could be outside? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore what happens when kids learn in the open air. We visit summer programs across New Mexico where children share how nature helps them feel strong, calm, and curious. Find our learning guide and the full episode page with activity links at https://ChildrensHour.org/every-kid-outside We learn how sunshine, trees, birds, and even raindrops can teach us important lessons. The organization Environmental Education of New Mexico wants to make outdoor learning part of every school day for all students. You’ll also hear from kids in Mrs. Dawson’s fourth grade class at Valle Vista Elementary School in Albuquerque. These students went birdwatching every week at the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge. They learned how to use binoculars, identify birds by sight and sound, and then turned their experiences into creative poems. Their words show how being outside helped them see nature—and themselves—in a whole new way. They noticed birds in their neighborhoods, learned how birds build nests, and discovered their own connection to the land. The idea of outdoor classrooms is catching on, and for good reason. Kids who learn outside are healthier, happier, and more excited about school. From planting gardens to watching clouds or counting insects, there are endless ways to explore the world right outside your door. Whether you're in the city, the mountains, or the desert, nature is ready to be your teacher. The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, Executive Producer and Host with production support from Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, Marci Krivonen, Thaniel Lentz, and Eli Henley. Chad Scheer was our recording engineer at Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our learning guide was written by Amber Schiel. Thanks to the team at Environmental Education of New Mexico. Special thanks to Mrs. Dawson’s fourth grade class at Valle Vista Elementary, whose bird poems and reflections brought this episode to life. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., distributed by Native Voice One, and supported by listeners like you. Find more at ChildrensHour.org/every-kid-outside. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This time on The Children's Hour we learn about the concept of querencia: the feeling of "home" in a place, and with our communities. Using poetry, imagery, history, music and sharing, we explore the elements of home. The post Querencia is Home appeared first on The Children's Hour.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we immerse ourselves in good vibes with a summer fun soundtrack. We've got brand new Kindie music and a classic Bill Harley story about the terror of the high dive and power of unrequited love. Be uplifted with us! The post Good Vibes for Summer appeared first on The Children's Hour.

Tigers and snow leopards are two of the most powerful and secretive big cats on the planet. This week on The Children’s Hour, our Kids Crew learns from zookeepers and wildlife experts who study and care for these amazing animals. Discover how tigers and snow leopards survive in the wild, how zoos help them thrive, and what we can do to protect them. Join us for a wild adventure into the lives of these majestic felines!

Astronomy begins at home, just looking up and seeing what we see. The Kids Crew meet with Professor Raman Prinja, Head of Astronomy and Physics at University College in London. Professor Prinja’s book Wonders of the Night Sky details the many celestial sights we can see just by looking up at the sky after dark. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/just-look-up Exploring the universe and its wonders does not require a spaceship or even a telescope, but just by paying attention and looking up. Professor Raman Prinja, in conversation with the Kids Crew leads us on a journey through what sparked his own curiosity as a child. It was the moon. We also learn about the incredibly rare circumstances that cause eclipses. Professor Prinja teaches us a little about black holes and how astronomers know they are there. He also leads us on an exploration of the composition of our sun, and how solar flares can cause auroras at our planet's poles. Find out why Europa is one of the most interesting moons in our solar system. There's even more to explore in his book, and in our conversation! We also hear a review by our host Katie Stone of Wonders of the Night Sky: Astronomy Starts With Just Looking Up. Spoiler: she loved the book! This show is packed with information about astronomy, physics, and will spark an interest in just looking up to explore the wonders of the universe. This episode of The Children's Hour was produced by our Executive Director, Katie Stone, producers Christina Stella, Anne Marie Awad, Gus Tafoya, and Thaniel Lentz. The Children's Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. ©2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Who’s hooting? This time on The Children’s Hour, we learn all about owls. Inspired by Mrs. Monica Charles’s second grade class from Coronado Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we explore the lives of these mysterious night flyers. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/owls The 2nd graders share their owl research, discuss findings from dissecting owl pellets, and teach us why owls are so important, how to keep them protected, and much more! We also learn from our special guests at The Owl Research Institute, in Charlo, Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Denver Holt is the founder and president of ORI, and Beth Mendelsohn is a research biologist at the institute who focuses on North American owls. We hear about all of the incredible projects of the institute; including supporting year round field research of wild owls, organizing outreach and events to teach the public, and working towards conservation to help protect owls. With more than 200 species of owls around the world, maybe you have had the experience like some of our Kids Crew, of seeing owls in the wild? Stay tuned to learn all about owls with us, coming up on The Children’s Hour. This episode was produced by Katie Stone, our Executive Producer, with production help from producers Chritina Stella, Gus Tafoya, Sarah Gabrieli and Thaniel Lentz. Our recording engineer at Outpost is Chad Scheer. We want to give special thanks to the second grade students in Mrs. Charles classroom at Coronado Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico for their inspiring research and writing on owls. (c) 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Have you ever seen a story carved into a rock? This week on The Children’s Hour, we explore the meaning and magic of petroglyphs - images etched into stone by ancient hands. Find a learning guide, activities, and the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/petroglyphs Our Kids Crew visited Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project, home to more than 60,000 documented carvings, and talked with archaeologist Jerod Roberts, educator Sandy Romero, and volunteer Judy Chaddick. Then we met up with Ranger David Ottaviano from Petroglyph National Monument to learn how these fragile images are preserved. We also heard from Todd Scissons, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer from Acoma Pueblo, about what petroglyphs still mean to Pueblo people today. Come discover how these images are more than just pictures—they’re powerful messages from the past still speaking to us now. On our journey, we learned how petroglyphs are made by pecking away the dark surface of lava rocks, revealing lighter stone beneath. The images might show animals, spirals, symbols of the sun and moon, or even spiritual journeys. Some carvings line up with the sun during equinoxes or solstices, helping people keep time and honor sacred traditions. We explored why it’s important not to touch petroglyphs, and how even small acts—like going off-trail—can damage them. Experts told us that protecting these sites helps us care for living cultures, because many Pueblo people still live in the same lands as their ancestors who carved these messages long ago. Tribal historian Todd Scissons from Acoma Pueblo explained that petroglyphs are like storybooks carved into stone. They record important experiences and prayers, and connect people to their ancestors. He shared how the spiral symbol shows a journey—a path walked by his people through time. And we learned how different tribes see similar meanings in these images, because many Pueblos share the same roots and stories. This episode reminds us that our landscape holds wisdom, memory, and spirit. You can find photos, a Learning Guide, and activities for this episode at https://childrenshour.org/petroglyphs This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Gus Tafoya, Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. The Children's Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a nonprofit based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. Find more at ChildrensHour.org. © 2025 The Children's Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we're celebrating Father's Day with a musical special all about dads and father figures. Through songs, poetry, and rhythm, we hear how fathers love, teach, and support their kids in many different ways. Find the episode page at https://childrenshour.org/for-dad Our guest is the legendary John Legend. He joins us to talk about being a parent and how that inspired his Grammy-nominated children's album, My Favorite Dream. We hear songs from the album, including L-O-V-E, which features his wife and kids singing along. John Legend tells us about his musical childhood, how he stays connected with his children while working, and why creating music for kids has been a dream come true. This special episode is filled with joyful, heartwarming music that honors dads everywhere. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Daniel Lentz. Engineering by Eli Henley, and post-production by Augustin Tafoya. The Children's Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a nonprofit based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. Find more at ChildrensHour.org. © 2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This time on The Children’s Hour we learn how everyone can contribute to active scientific research by participating in Community Science with groups like BEMP: the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program. Find the learning guide and full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/community-science The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program or BEMP, studies the riparian forest along the Rio Grande in New Mexico as it travels from Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, down to the Gulf of Mexico in El Paso, Texas. Students in BEMP work with the program as part of their school science curriculum, taking multiple field trips to the bosque to collect data, from counting insects, to measuring leaf litter. When the kids collect their data, they are participating in community science. In order for scientists to understand as much as possible about our climate, soil health, endangered species, weather, and so much more, they need to get as much information as possible. Members of every community are needed to collect certain kinds of data from wherever they may live. BEMP helps teachers make that effort part of a day at school. More than 10,000 New Mexican students have worked directly with BEMP. You can learn a lot more about Community Science in our Learn-Along Guide that’s posted above. Press the button and your download will start. This guide meets and cites US National Education Standards, and will expand on what we explored today on the show. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, our Executive Producer and our Senior Producer, Christina Stella, with production support from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz, our Intern. Our Learning Guides are written by Amber Shiel. Chad Scheer engineers for us at Outpost Performance Space, in Albuquerque New Mexico. Many thanks to Zoe Wadkins-Daniels for providing so many additional resources for us to share with our listeners. The Children's Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. ©2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Get ready to celebrate the end of the school year with The Children’s Hour! This week, we honor teachers, cheer for graduates, and dive into hilarious and heartfelt stories about finishing school. Plus, we share songs about summer adventures and new beginnings. Join us for a joyful goodbye to another great year!

What's it like to sleep outside, cook over a fire, and carry everything you need on your back? In this episode of The Children's Hour, our Kids Crew shares their own outdoor adventures and learns about how to stay safe and have fun while camping. We're joined by experts from Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions and a meteorologist to answer questions and share tips about preparing for the wilderness. Find the full episode page at https://www.childrenshour.org/kids-camping/ We meet Jordan Stone, the Executive Director of Cottonwood Gulch, and educator Naina Panthaki, who both lead youth camping and backpacking trips across the Southwest. They explain how to pick a campsite, what to pack, and how to protect yourself from bears, bugs, and even poison ivy!  Then, meteorologist Kerry Jones teaches us how to read the sky for signs of dangerous storms and what to do if lightning or flooding strike. Plus, the Kids Crew tells stories from their own hiking and backpacking experiences, and gives listeners advice on exploring the outdoors responsibly. Whether you're heading into the mountains or your own backyard, this show will help you get ready to camp! This episode was produced by Katie Stone, with help from Sarah Gabrielli, Thaniel Lentz, and Isaac Lacerda. Our guests were Jordan Stone and Naina Panthaki from Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, and meteorologist Kerry Jones. Many thanks to our Kids Crew: Melissa, Evan, Zen, Lumanana, Thaniel, Octavia, Amadeus, Imogene, Maya, Isaac, Lucas, and Illy.   The Children's Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children's Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Why do animals travel long distances every year? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn all about migration—how it works, why it happens, and which creatures migrate the farthest. From the skies to the seas, we’ll explore the incredible journeys that animals take in search of food, warmth, and safety. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/migration Our guest is migration expert, author, and researcher Scott Weidensaul. He explains how birds and other animals know when it’s time to migrate, and how they manage to find their way without getting lost. Scott also shares how animals like whales, butterflies, and even sea turtles make epic seasonal journeys. We learn why migration is risky, and how we can help protect animals along their way. Some birds travel at night to avoid predators and fly through calm air. We hear a special feature from Bird Note called The Music of Birds Migrating at Night. It’s filled with the tiny peeps, squeaks, and whistles birds make as they pass overhead. These special nighttime sounds help scientists learn more about the birds’ migration paths. We also discover the amazing science behind how birds navigate using the stars and even Earth’s magnetic field. Scott tells us about bar-tailed godwits, which fly more than 8,000 miles nonstop across the ocean, and Arctic terns, which travel over 60,000 miles in a single year! Learn more about migration, how climate change is affecting animal travel, and how planting native shrubs and trees in your backyard can help migrating birds along their way. You’ll also hear the Kids Crew in conversation with Scott, asking great questions about nature and navigation. The Children's Hour is produced by The Children's Hour Inc., a New Mexico-based nonprofit. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and our intern Thaniel. Our show was recorded at Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA by Chad Scheer. Our theme music was composed by C.K. Barlow. The Children's Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, The Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This show is for mom! It’s a celebration of mothers from Children’s Hour listeners and our kids crew. We’ll also learn the history of Mother’s Day, beginning 1872 when Julia Ward Howe made the first Mother’s Day Proclamation. Plus we find out about bird moms, and hear great music honoring motherhood. The post For Mom appeared first on The Children's Hour.

In this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore the amazing world of frogs and toads with expert guest Josh Butler from the Albuquerque Biopark Zoo. Listeners will learn the differences between frogs and toads, what they eat, where they live, and why their survival is so important. With fun music and real-life science, this show dives deep into amphibian life. Plus, we discover simple ways we can all help protect frogs and toads in our own communities. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/frogs-toads/ On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we met Josh Butler, the senior zookeeper for reptiles and amphibians at the Albuquerque Biopark Zoo. He taught us about these amazing creatures and even introduced us to one of the largest toads in North America: the Colorado River Toad, also called the Sonoran Desert Toad. This toad has a very poisonous skin, which protects it from predators like dogs. Its special skin glands help it stay moist and safe. Toads are actually a kind of frog, even though they look different, they're in the same family. Toads usually have bumpy skin, short legs, and can live far from water. Frogs usually have smooth skin, long legs, and live in wetter places. Both frogs and toads eat bugs—a lot of bugs—and help keep insect populations under control. We learned about the Woodhouse’s toad, a species that’s common in Albuquerque. These toads love to hang out near streetlights at night to snack on insects. We also heard how some frogs, like bullfrogs, make big, booming croaks. That’s actually how bullfrogs got their name—because of their loud voices, not because they like the color red! Did you know frogs can breathe through their skin? That's why it's important they stay wet. Their thin skin can even absorb oxygen from water! Frogs and toads are not like lizards—they don’t have scales and need moisture to survive. But not everything is happy in the frog world. According to the Extinction Diaries, about 40% of amphibians are at risk of going extinct in the next 20 years. That's nearly 2,000 kinds of frogs and toads! Pollution, pesticides, climate change, and a deadly skin disease are all hurting them. Some chemicals even mess up frog hormones, turning boy frogs into girls. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Our interview with Josh Butler was recorded online at the Sunspot Solar Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Children’s Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Roots are everywhere! They grow under trees, flowers, and even the food we eat. In this episode of The Children's Hour, we dig deep into the ground to learn about roots and how they help our planet. Roots do more than just hold a plant in place—they gather water and nutrients from the soil, helping plants grow tall and strong. Some roots are so powerful that they can break through concrete, while others stretch deep underground to help trees survive in the desert. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/roots We met Jane Westbrook, an artist and educator who calls herself a “rootologist.” Jane has spent years studying roots and even painted a massive mural showing different kinds of roots at the Open Space Visitor Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She taught us about different types of roots and how they feed plants, store food, and even talk to each other through underground networks! Did you know that some of the food we eat comes from roots? Carrots, radishes, beets, and potatoes are all roots! We talked about how plants store energy in their roots, making them a great food source for humans and animals. Some roots, like ginger and turmeric, are even used as medicine! Trees don’t just stand there quietly—they actually talk to each other! We learned that tree roots are connected underground by tiny threads called mycelium, a type of fungus that helps trees share nutrients and send messages. If a tree is attacked by bugs, it can send a warning through its roots to other trees nearby! We were also joined by Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author of Braiding Sweetgrass, and Monique Gray Smith, who adapted the book for young readers. Braiding Sweetgrass is about how Indigenous knowledge and science can work together to help us understand plants and nature. Robin and Monique shared stories about how plants teach us important lessons, and how we can give back to the Earth in return for all the gifts it gives us. Robin Wall Kimmerer told us the ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) story of Sky Woman. In this legend, a woman falls from the sky and is saved by animals who help create the land we live on today. This story reminds us that we must care for the Earth, just as it cares for us. Roots do so much for the planet! They: • Hold soil in place to prevent erosion. • Help plants survive by finding water and nutrients. • Store carbon from the air, helping to slow climate change. • Create food for animals and humans. By planting trees and taking care of plants, we can help keep the Earth's roots strong! Credits This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Special thanks to our guests Jane Westbrook, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Monique Gray Smith. The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children's Hour Inc., a non-profit supported by listeners like you. Our theme music was written by C.K. Barlow, and we are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children's Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved

Learn all about sloths with author Georgeanne Irvine from the San Diego Zoo, and biologist Sam Trull from the Sloth Institute in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica. Find out how we can all help protect sloths. This episode comes with a hands-on Learn-Along guide. Find the full episode page with the learning guide at https://childrenshour.org/sloths Sloths live in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, but Tornero lives in San Diego. A favorite at the San Diego Zoo, Tornero is the subject of Georgeanne Irvine’s book, Teaching Tornero: The True Story of a Sloth Superstar. Georgeanne Irvine works in the publishing office at the San Diego Zoo, and has written more than 50 books about animals, but this is the first one about sloths. The kids talk with her about Tornero’s extraordinary life at the San Diego Zoo, and we learn a bit about the different species of sloths. Then, Jo from our Kids Crew reviews Teaching Tornero. The book is geared toward elementary aged kids, and is full of stunning photos of Tornero at the zoo throughout his lifetime. Then we head down to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica where we meet Sam Trull. She is a founder of the Sloth Institute, a conservation organization dedicated to saving sloths who are orphaned, or injured. Sloths in Costa Rica face numerous challenges, including electrocution from the commonplace, uninsulated electrical wiring used throughout the country. Sloths are also prone to becoming orphans as a result of their mothers being injured, killed, and the ever-shrinking habitat they call home. Even the loss of one tree can be devastating for a sloth population. We learn how we can support sloths no matter where we live, by refusing to participate in invasive, exploitive sloth tourism. Sam Trull explains that anywhere people are allowed to interact up close, or pet sloths, they are actually harming the animals. Sloths are solitary, and the best way to enjoy them in the wild is to quietly observe them in the tree canopy while staying far away from them, or seeing them from the ground. Then meet the Paleolithic Ground Sloth, a mega fauna that thrived on the American continent for millions of years until just 11,000 years ago, when humans made them extinct. You can learn more about ground sloths in our Fossils episode, and hear how they interacted with people in our Brief History of the American Southwest for Kids podcast series. This episode was written and produced by our Senior Producer, Christina Stella and Katie Stone, our Executive Producer. Production help was also provided by Thaniel Lentz. We recorded this show at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with help from engineer Chad Scheer. Our Learn-Along guide was written by Lorraine Archibald. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What makes music so fun? It brings people together. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we meet Grammy-winning musicians Lucky Diaz and Alicia Gaddis from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band. They create songs that families love to sing and dance to—sometimes in English, sometimes in Spanish, and always filled with joy and energy. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/lucky-diaz Lucky and Alicia share their journey as musicians and storytellers. They were the first North American band to ever win a Latin Grammy. They tell us what it was like to receive seven Grammy nominations and finally take home the award for their album ¡Brillo, Brillo! in 2025. Our Kids Crew brings us book reviews of stories written by Lucky and Alicia, including Palitero Man and She Loves Me All the Same. These books celebrate culture, family, and love. Join us and dance to the infectious beats and learn through a lively discussion with the 2025 Best Children’s Release winners, Alicia Gaddis and Lucky Diaz from Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band. Credits: The Children's Hour is written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Thaniel Lentz. Our show is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. ©2025 The Children’s Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved.

Learn about fossils in this action packed episode of The Children's Hour that comes with a Learn-Along guide that meets and cites National (US) Education Standards. Find this episode page at https://childrenshour.org/fossils The Kids Crew took a summer field trip to a secret fossil dig site located in an active mining quarry in the mountains of New Mexico. They spoke with the paleontologists working to extract 350 million year old fossilized marine creatures and plants. Then, Kids Crew member Amadeus Menendez is a longtime volunteer at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. To help us understand how fossils are made, he spoke with NMMNHS educator Mike Sanchez to learn more about how fossils develop, and dispel myths about what constitutes a fossil. We also spoke with Dr. Emily Lindsey, she’s the Assistant Curator and Excavation Site Director at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, California. The tar pits perfectly preserved animals, plants, people and anything that fell into them over the last 60,000 years. They have found long extinct animals, like giant camels and sloths, as well as humans, insects, and critters who couldn't escape the sticky, oily tar. This episode was recorded at a super secret fossil dig site in the mountains of New Mexico, at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, and the Sunspot Solar Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Many thanks to Amanda Cantrell and Thomas Suazo from Badlands Scientific Expeditions for taking our Kids Crew on the fossil field trip. We had production help from the Kids Crew & their parents, as well as Amadeus Menendez, Eli Henley, Christina Stella and Thaniel Lentz. Katie Stone is our Executive Producer. Our Learning Guide was written by Jonathan Dunski and Lorraine Archibald. The Children's Hour is distributed on radio stations by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of The Children's Hour, we are going to dive into the life and legacy of Dr. Seuss, exploring how he crafted his beloved stories and why his books continue to captivate young readers today. Through engaging discussions, musical interludes, and fascinating insights, we uncover what makes his work so timeless and impactful. Find full episode details at https://childrenshour.org/dr-seuss We were joined by biographer Brian Jay Jones, who wrote Becoming Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel and the Making of an American Imagination. He shared amazing stories about how Dr. Seuss became an author, where he got his ideas, and how he changed children's books forever. Did you know Dr. Seuss wasnt really a doctor? And that he almost gave up after his first book was rejected many times? Brian Jay Jones told us all about it! Dr. Seuss' books arent just fun"they also carry important messages. The Lorax teaches about protecting the environment, Horton Hears a Who reminds us that every voice matters, and The Butter Battle Book shows how silly arguments can grow into big problems. His playful words make reading fun while helping us learn valuable lessons. Throughout the show, we heard songs inspired by Dr. Seuss, and had a lively discussion with our Kids Crew about their favorite Seuss books. Do you have a favorite? Maybe Oh, the Places You'll Go! or Horton Hears a Who!? Grab your Dr. Seuss books and join us as we learn about his incredible life and legacy. National Dr. Seuss Day is celebrated every year on March 2nd, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. This special day is part of Read Across America, a nationwide event that encourages children to discover the joy of reading. Schools, libraries, and communities honor Dr. Seuss' legacy by hosting fun literacy activities, reading his beloved books, and dressing up as favorite Seussian characters. Its a day to inspire a love for storytelling, creativity, and imagination in young readers everywhere! This episode was written and produced by The Children's Hour Inc, and executive producer Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Many thanks to our guest, Brian Jay Jones, for sharing his insights into the world of Dr. Seuss. Our show was recorded at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico by Chad Scheer. The Children's Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network.

This time on The Children's Hour, we celebrate the First Lady of children's music, Ella Jenkins, who died in November 2024 at the age of 100. Learn about her extraordinary life and how she created a whole new genre of music for kids and families.

Have you ever wondered about the mighty eagle, the king of the skies? In this episode of The Children’s Hour, we take flight with these incredible birds. Eagles are known for their sharp eyesight, powerful wings, and majestic presence. They’re also important symbols in cultures around the world, representing strength and freedom. Find this episode page at https://childrenshour.org/eagles We explore what makes eagles unique, from their incredible hunting skills to their ability to soar at great heights. You’ll learn about the different kinds of eagles, like the bald eagle and golden eagle, and where they live. Did you know that bald eagles aren’t actually bald? Their white feathers just make it look that way! Our Kids Crew takes you on a journey to understand why eagles are so special. We’ll also share fun facts, like how eagles build giant nests called eyries and raise their chicks high up in the trees or cliffs. We’re also thrilled to take you to the Zuni Eagle Sanctuary, a unique aviary where eagles are cared for and honored as part of the Zuni cultural tradition. Kids Crew members Caibiya and Lucasti bring us their field reporting from this incredible place, sharing what they learned about the connection between eagles and the Zuni people. Then, we are joined by Dr. Brian Millsap, a research biologist from New Mexico State University, who shares his insights about eagle behavior and conservation. As we learn about the lives of these predators, we also discover what makes an eagle unique, and how their populations are managing around the globe. Join us as we celebrate the beauty and power of eagles through stories, science, and fun. A favorite bird for so many people around the world, soar with eagles on The Children’s Hour. This episode of The Children’s Hour is dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Jensen Blanchard of Albuquerque who passed away on June 20, 2024 at the age of 101. As a member of the Greatest Generation, Naval Chief Petty Officer Blanchard was one of the first women to serve in the military. She was also a devoted listener to The Children’s Hour. “May you have fair winds and following seas.” Episode Credits This episode of The Children’s Hour was produced by Katie Stone and the Kids Crew, along with Gus Tafoya, Sarah Gabrielli, and Thaniel Lentz. Engineering support was provided by Chad Scheer. Special thanks to everyone who contributed their voices, questions, and energy to make this show possible, including the Tsabetsaye family in Zuni Pueblo, and Dr. Brian Millsap at New Mexico State University. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. ©2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. Learn more at ChildrensHour.org.

This time on The Children's Hour, the Kids Crew get aboard the JOIDES Resolution, virtually, while the ship is at sea off the coast of Portugal. We meet Amy Mayer, the Onboard Outreach Officer for the JOIDES Expedition 397, and research fellow Saray Sanchez.  Find the full episode post at https://www.childrenshour.org/the-bottom-of-the-sea/ We learn how the JOIDES brings up core samples from the ocean floor, that they then slice, x-ray, and study. Some of the soils they are bringing to the surface are over 300 million years old.  Scientists aboard the JOIDES stay for a short rotation, and collect as much data as possible. The ship is drilling for core samples 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when they are at the drilling site. The Kids Crew have a lot of questions for Amy and Saray about life on board a scientific research vessel.   We also hear a poem by Kenn Nesbitt, from his poetry playground Poetry4Kids.com. Mixed with great music celebrating the sea, get to the bottom of the ocean with us, this time on The Children's Hour. This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Katie Stone at the Sunspot Solar Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA, with production help from Christina Stella and Sarah Gabrielli. The Children's Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All rights reserved.

Join The Children's Hour Kids Crew in a field trip to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, the largest in the world! Learn what makes something "Folk Art" in conversations with artists from dozens of countries. This episode comes with a Learn-Along guide for use in classrooms. Find the learning guide and full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/folk-art The Children's Hour wanted to learn more about Folk Art, so we took the train, and headed to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, an annual summer market and festival held every year in July in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Folk Art Market is the largest in the world, generating millions of dollars in sales each year for the artisans from around the world. The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market had over a 100 vendors from around the world, including Marzena Dłużniewska from Poland. Her nativity scenes are a traditional art of Poland, which she learned from her grandfather. She was at her booth with her daughter, who is also learning the art.  This episode was recorded by Kids Crew members at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, along with their families, including Jo, Thorfin, Addie & Andrew. This episode was produced by Katie Stone, our executive producer. We had production help from Eli Henley, Gus Tafoya, and our senior producer, Christina Stella. Lorraine Archibald wrote our curriculum and provided educational oversight. The Children’s Hour received special support to produce this show from New Mexico Arts, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts. Our thanks to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market for making this show possible.  © 2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Celebrate the best in kids music, hear about one of our favorite educational podcasts, and sample the Grammy nominees for Best Children's Release. It's all in an hour! The post Best of 2024 appeared first on The Children's Hour.

Get into the holiday spirit with The Children’s Hour as we unwrap the traditions and tunes that make the season magical! 🎁✨ This week, we explore how New Mexicans celebrate Christmas with a unique twist—ever heard of “Christmas” red and green chili on your food? 🌶️ The second graders from Coronado Elementary School’s bilingual classroom teach us all about the state’s iconic chilies, their history, and how they’re grown. 🌟 Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/holidays-2024 Tune in for festive music, fun facts about holiday traditions from around the world, and a special spotlight on how chilies are central to New Mexican culture. From carols to chili ristras, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss this heartwarming holiday adventure brought to you by kids, for kids, and kids at heart! ❤️ 🎶 Featuring music from Laurie Berkner, Joanie Leeds, Van Sereno, Ella Jenkins, and more. Plus, hear holiday favorites like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” with a TCH twist! This episode of The Children’s Hour is written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Ann Lopez. Many thanks to the second grade students in Mrs. Monica Charles' bilingual class at Coronado Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Step into the magical world of storytelling with this special episode of The Children's Hour! Join host Katie Stone and the Kids Crew as they explore the wonders of folktales—stories that have been passed down through generations to teach, entertain, and inspire. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/folktales Our special guest, renowned storyteller Dr. Rosalia Pacheco, shares the haunting New Mexican legend of La Llorona (The Crying Woman). Her vivid storytelling will give you chills as she brings this classic folktale to life, teaching us lessons about safety and the importance of cultural traditions. You’ll also hear about similar stories from around the globe, like Ireland’s Banshee and Japan’s wailing spirits, showing how cultures everywhere use storytelling to teach important life lessons. The Kids Crew dives deep into other famous folktales, including The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Hansel and Gretel, and The Emperor's New Clothes. Through their lively discussions, they uncover the morals behind these tales, like the importance of honesty, the dangers of trusting strangers, and the value of seeing the truth. These stories have entertained children for centuries while helping them learn essential life skills. This episode is filled with music and fun! Sing along to folk songs like This Old Man by the Seegers and Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger, and enjoy a playful reenactment of Henny Penny performed by Theater in the Making. The blend of music, stories, and discussion makes this an episode the whole family can enjoy together. Katie Stone encourages listeners to explore their own family and community traditions by asking parents, grandparents, and friends about the stories they grew up hearing. Folktales are a way to share wisdom and stay connected to the past while enjoying the magic of storytelling in the present. The Children's Hour is produced by The Children's Hour Incorporated, a New Mexico nonprofit. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone with production help from Christina Stella and our intern Thaniel Lentz. Special thanks to Dr. Rosalia Pacheco, supported by a generous grant from the New Mexico Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. The Children's Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Bear with us this time on The Children's Hour as we learn about bears from the legendary Dr. Lynn Rogers from the North American Bear Center. Find out how bears fit into our ecology, where and how they live, and how Dr. Rogers overcame his fear of bears to study wild bears. Find the full episode page with links, photos, and more at https://childrenshour.org/bears Get ready to explore the fascinating world of bears with The Children's Hour! In this episode, host Katie Stone and the Kids Crew welcome Dr. Lynn Rogers, a renowned biologist often called the “Jane Goodall of bears.” The founder of the North American Bear Center, Dr. Rogers has dedicated his career to studying black bears and shares surprising insights into bear behavior and ecology. You’ll learn how bears communicate, what they like to eat, and why they’re not as scary as we might think.  This episode introduces you to all eight species of bears found around the world. Dr. Rogers guides us through each bear type and its unique habitat. In North America, black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears inhabit diverse environments, from forests to the icy Arctic. South America is home to the spectacled bear, the continent’s only native bear. Asia hosts four species: the moon bear, sun bear, sloth bear, and panda bear, each with special adaptations for their habitats, from bamboo forests to dense jungles. With Dr. Rogers as our guide, we uncover fascinating details about how each species has evolved to thrive in its own region. Dr. Rogers also shares his personal experiences working with bears. He explains how his research approach changed over time, focusing on building trust with the animals rather than using tranquilizers and collars. This approach allowed him to observe their natural behaviors up close, revealing bears to be intelligent, even gentle creatures. With questions from the Kids Crew and practical tips on what to do if you encounter a bear in the wild, this episode will deepen your respect for these incredible animals and their role in nature. This episode of The Children's Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, with support from Dan Krakor, Jackie Fulton, and intern Thaniel Lentz. Special thanks to Dr. Lynn Rogers from the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minnesota, for sharing his expertise with us. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This week on The Children's Hour, it's the season of gratitude, and we're grateful for some of the most important people in our lives: our grandparents. The Kids have messages and stories to share for and about their own grandparents. We'll also hear kids from Jimmy Carter Middle School in Albuquerque, NM telling stories about grandparent love and magic in action. The post Grateful For Grandparents appeared first on The Children's Hour.

In this episode of The Children's Hour, the Kids Crew explores their favorite things through exciting experiences and interviews. Genevieve visits the Santa Fe Opera to learn about opera behind the scenes, while Kodiak and Corbett take flight with the Young Eagles program, discovering the wonders of aviation. The crew also welcomes special guests from Animal Humane New Mexico, who share insights on caring for pets. With great music and lively conversations, this episode celebrates the joys of favorite activities, animals, and adventures! Find the episode page at https://childrenshour.org/favorite-things Do you have a favorite thing? Most of us have a few favorite things, like our favorite foods, or sports, or even songs. Genevieve takes us on a journey to the Santa Fe Opera, where she attends her very first live opera, Tristan und Isolde. She interviews Chelsea Dennis, the production director, who explains the magic of opera, how it's different from plays and musicals, and what it takes to bring a grand production to life. We also welcome special guests from Animal Humane New Mexico, who share how they care for pets and help find loving homes for animals in need. They explain the importance of adopting pets and what it takes to be a responsible pet owner, with advice for families thinking about adding a furry friend to their home. Kodiak and Corbit get an unforgettable experience flying in an airplane with the Young Eagles program. They learn about experimental airplanes, how they're built, and the basics of flight from real pilots. The crew also interviews a retired Air Force instructor pilot and discovers what it's like to see the world from high in the sky. This episode of The Children’s Hour is written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Eli Henley, Genevieve, Corbit and Kodiak. Special thanks to the Santa Fe Opera, Animal Humane New Mexico, and the Experimental Aircraft Association group 179 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved. Listen to The Children’s Hour anytime at ChildrensHour.org.

In this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew dives into the captivating realm of great apes, featuring orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Special guest Michelle Desilets from Forests for Orangutans shares insights into the behaviors, lifestyles, and struggles of these remarkable animals. We also visit the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo to get an up-close look at chimpanzees. Join us for an engaging and informative adventure into the world of these extraordinary creatures! Find the full episode post at https://childrenshour.org/apes In this exciting episode of The Children's Hour, the Kids Crew is going on an adventure to learn all about some of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom—the great apes! We’re diving into the lives of orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas to discover what makes these animals so incredible. Did you know that great apes, like orangutans, share up to 97% of their DNA with humans? That makes them some of the most intelligent animals on the planet! First, we’ll chat with Michelle Desilets from Forests for Orangutans, who will teach us fascinating facts about these amazing creatures. Orangutans are not just smart, but they have unique skills that help them survive in their rainforest homes. You'll hear about their favorite foods (hint: they love jackfruit!) and how they use their strong jaws to crack open coconuts. You’ll also learn about the serious threats they face from humans, like habitat loss and hunting. But that’s not all—we’re also taking a field trip to the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo! There, we’ll meet with a zookeeper who cares for chimpanzees and get a behind-the-scenes look at how these amazing animals live in the zoo. Chimpanzees are social animals, much like us, and we’ll discover how they interact with each other and their environment. Throughout the episode, we’ll explore what makes the great apes, including gorillas, such fascinating creatures. We’ll learn that these animals live in complex societies, use tools, and have strong family bonds. And did you know that orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas each have different adaptations to their environments? From the treetops of the rainforest to the forest floor, each species has its own way of thriving in the wild. Join us for this fun, educational, and music-filled episode as we discover the wonderful world of apes. Whether you’re a budding scientist or just curious about these incredible creatures, there’s something for everyone in this show! Don’t miss the chance to learn, laugh, and explore with The Children’s Hour! This episode of The Children’s Hour is written and produced by Katie Stone, with help from Senior Producer Christina Stella and intern Thaniel. Special thanks to our guest Michelle Desilets from Forests for Orangutans, and Jonathan Cordova, the chimpanzee keeper at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo. You can find this episode, along with all of our other episodes, at ChildrensHour.org. (c) 2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This week on The Children’s Hour, we explore how kids cope with death and grief. We'll learn what are the best things to say to someone in mourning, and what we absolutely should never say. Find out about the Day of the Dead, and how you can memorialize someone you love. The post Death & Grief appeared first on The Children's Hour.