The Children's Hour The Children's Hour Inc.

It's Earth Day on The Children's Hour, and we meet Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM) who explains how National Parks and National Wilderness areas are created. Kids can play a big part! Then, Evan tells us about the Junior Ranger program. Biologists and authors Lily and Barbara Kingsolver share about their new book, Coyote's Wild Home. Learn with us!

What’s wild about your backyard? This time on The Children’s Hour we explore creating a backyard or balcony to attract wildlife, in a visit with a “more than human geographer” Laurel Ladwig. She’s part of a movement of reconciliation ecologists who are encouraging people to increase habitats around our homes to help critters who need more nectar, pollen, shade and food to survive in our artificial urban environments.



As we increase the native plants in our yards, or even on our urban balconies in containers, you may see beautiful birds and bugs in need of nectar.



Some wildlife are animals we would rather not encourage, like the rattlesnakes our Kids Crew member Cade sees in his moutain backyard. Other critters look scary but are harmless to humans, and essential members of the food chain to keep the delicate balance of nature in harmony. One such bug is the vinegaroon, which looks like a scorpion but is actually a gentle giant.



We learn about why it's so important to seek out plants which are native to where we live.We learn about why it's so important to seek out plants which are native to where we live.



Here's an online site where you can learn more about what species can thrive around you



As we plant our habitats, we want to help tend our plants to survive the effects of climate change.



The kids also meet Jim Battaglia from Wildlife Rescue of New Mexico, to learn what to do when we find injured wild animals in our yards, parks and playgrounds.



This show is mixed with excellent music to encourage everyone to get outside, and plant something.



Don't forget the City Nature Challenge happening worldwide April 29 - May 2, 2022. Find out more!

This time on The Children’s Hour, New Mexico Poet Laureate Lauren Camp inspires us to find our poet within, putting our feelings, thoughts, stories and ideas into words to create our own poetry. Featuring poems read by Bob Odenkirk, Joy Harjo, and others, we celebrate poetry and explore our own poet within each one of us.



Find this episode post with all the links at https://childrenshour.org/the-poet-within



What makes a poem, and how do we find the poet within? New Mexico Poet Laureate, Lauren Camp walks us through how poetry comes to life from our thoughts, sensations, and to describe the world around us. Hear how her poem Forest Man makes us feel like we are inside the trees with us.  



New Mexico Poet Laureate Lauren Camp has written more than 10 books of poetry, and has contributed to a coloring book showcasing how amazing New Mexico is, with line art drawings from many talented New Mexican artists. Produced by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the coloring book is free and you can download and print it no matter where you live!



We hear poetry from former United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. She was the 23rd United States Poet Laureate, and the first Native American to hold the honor. Joy Harjo is from the Mvskoke Nation. She is only the sec­ond poet to be appoint­ed a third term as U.S. Poet Laureate.  The Current United States Poet Laureate is Ada Limón. We also hear from Shel Silverstein, Bob Odenkirk, and others.



Write your own poem answering the prompt provided by our guest Lauren Camp: What does zero feel like?  Submit your poem to us in your own voice or using our contact form. We would love to hear from you. Hear what our Kids Crew came up with as we were interviewing Lauren Camp.



This episode of The Children’s Hour was produced by Executive Producer, Katie Stone, with help from Senior Producer Christina Stella. Our Education Director, Lorraine Archibald also contributed.



© 2024 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.

This week on The Children’s Hour we’ll explore New Zealand through stories and songs, and in conversation with our friends, Kiwi musicians Lucy Hiku from Itty Bitty Beats, and Claudia Robin Gunn. One lives on the north island, and the other on the South Island!



We’ll learn about New Zealand’s unique geography, climate, landscape, wildlife, and culture. Expect to hear all New Zealander music, in both English and Maori.



Celebrate the unique culture, landscape, flora and fauna of New Zealand with us. From kiwi birds to Kākāpō, there’s a lot to learn.



You can learn a lot more about New Zealand in our Learn-Along Guide that’s posted above. This guide meets and cites US National Education Standards, and will expand on what we explored today on the show.



This episode was produced by Katie Stone, our Executive Producer, with help from our Senior Producer, Christina Stella. Producer Diana Baron Moore contributed to this episode. Our Learn-Along Guides are written by Lorraine Archibald, with help from Jonathan Dunski. Many thanks to Claudia Robin Gunn and Itty Bitty Beats for being with us on the show.



©2024 The Children’s Hour Inc.

Imagine a world where kindness is a habit. The Kids Crew explore kindness, as a practice, science and feeling on this edition of The Children's Hour.



We're joined by Lindsay Munroe, a singer-songwriter who specializes in music to build caring communities of children.



Acts of kindness are more than just beneficial for the recipient, givers are also rewarded. We discover the science of kindness, and how it's a gift that keeps on giving.



We've created a free, downloadable learning guide on Kindness, which meets national education standards. Find it at https://ChildrensHour.org/kindness/

Download it for free, grab some crayons, pens, markers, and pencils and come along with us as we cultivate kindness.



This show is mixed with inspiring, joyful music that promotes kindness.



Produced by The Children's Hour Inc. Katie Stone is the Executive Producer, Christina Stella is our Senior Producer, Lorraine Archibald is our educator, and Alexander Jacobson writes our transcripts.



2024 The Children's Hour Inc.