Squiz Kids The Squiz

Each fortnight, we give the world globe a spin, and see where we land. Then we take the kids of Australia on an audio excursion to visit that country and its people.
Join your captain, Amanda Bower, on an audio adventure, where kids in Australia explore different countries each fortnight! Today, we’re heading to Japan, the land of Hello Kitty, sushi, and sumo wrestling. Our Super Fast Supersonic Jetliner takes us to the bustling city of Tokyo, lush forests, and unique islands. Learn fun facts about Japan’s geography, culture, and language, with cool videos and interactive activities. Experience Japanese school life, including delicious kyoshoku lunches, and plunge into the world of sumo wrestling. Get ready for an exciting trip to the Land of the Rising Sun!
For the full episode transcript, click here.
LINKS:
Shibuya crossing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH29fAOE1kw
Kyoshoku, or school lunch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL5mKE4e4uU
Sumo Wrestling 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj_QyxPZE8M
Chanko Nabe: https://www.japanesecooking101.com/chanko-nabe-recipe/
Your Shortcut to... Earthquakes and Volcanoes 

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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a plan to protect kids online with "age verification" technology. This new trial will help ensure kids are old enough for social media. The goal? To keep young minds safe from harmful content. Sounds like a smart move!
An adventurous scientist from Australia is trekking across Greenland's ice cap to study snow density. Armed with skis and sleds, these brave explorers are gathering data to understand why Greenland's ice is shrinking. Talk about a chilly but important mission!
Farming has gone high-tech! Instead of horses and motorbikes, farmers are using drones to herd their livestock. These drones, controlled from miles away, guide cattle across the fields. It’s an amazing blend of tradition and technology!
In Florida, school kids got a wild surprise when a huge alligator wandered onto their road. Wildlife officers had to wrestle and tape the massive reptile before relocating it far away. It’s not every day you see an alligator on the way to school!
For the full episode transcript, click here.

Who's smarter, kids or adults?
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They don't have a school building but young students in Gaza have plenty of persistence. With the support of volunteer teachers and the UN, they're returning to school in tents and on sand, determined not to miss out on an education.
The Mountain Chicken frog of Dominica, once a local delicacy, now battles extinction due to disease and weather. Conservationists and zoos globally rally to revive their dwindling numbers. Let's hope Dominicans hear their call in the wild again soon.
Every year, Aussies toss 400,000 kg of hair, enough to impact the environment. Now, that hair could support green energy by being converted into graphite for battery production.
Chongqing City Zoo offers a unique experience where visitors can feed lions and tigers from within a cage, providing a safe yet thrilling interaction with nature.
Original video from the Chongquing zoo.
How to conduct a reverse image search using Google.
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Hey kids, South Australia is on a mission to make under-14s go cold turkey on social media like TikTok and Instagram! They think it’s time to shield young eyes from the not-so-kid-friendly stuff online. It's going to be tough, but they're trying to make the internet a safer space.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has opened Australia’s piggy bank and guess what? There’s a surplus! That means more cash to splash in the coming years. Keep your ears perked up for the word 'surplus'—it’s good news!
Over in Belgium, it's business in the front, party in the back at the Festival of the Mullet. More than 200 hair heroes rocked their cool cuts. Who knew a haircut could be the star of the show?
Imagine chatting with whales! Scientists are decoding the ‘clicks’ and ‘clacks’ of sperm whales, getting closer to understanding their sea secrets. Maybe one day, we’ll all talk whale!
For the full episode transcript, click here.

We'll take you through HOW YouTube came into being; WHO are some of the most famous YouTubers... and WHY you need to stop, think, and check when watching YouTube.
For the full episode transcript, click here.
LINKS:
Newshounds, Squiz Kids' free media literacy curriculum: https://www.squizkids.com.au/about-newshounds/
The first YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw
The first million-view video: Ronaldinho magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpU7lsKcL2s
The first billion-view video: Gangnam Style by PSY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0
The Baby Shark video by PINKFONG Songs for Children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqZsoesa55w