The Children's Hour

The Children's Hour Inc.
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  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
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The Children's Hour

Eclectic, entertaining, educational public radio for kids of all ages on every topic under and beyond the sun. The Children's Hour radio show includes kids in every production, and our themes focus on civics, STEM, culture and performance. The Children's Hour keeps everyone in the family engrossed, with great music and subjects that teach listeners something new, regardless of your age. Heard on nearly 200 public radio stations worldwide each week, and hosted by Katie Stone with her intrepid Kids Crew who are real kids learning to make radio. Subscribe and learn with us!

  1. MAR 9

    Fossils

    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.

    59 min

  2. MAR 2

    Dr. Seuss

    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.

    59 min

  3. FEB 25

    Sloths

    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 digital Learn Along guide that meets and cites US national education standards.

    58 min

  4. FEB 23

    Sleep

    Why do we spend so much of our lives sleeping? Is anything happening in our brains while we sleep? Do animals sleep the same way we do? On this episode of The Children's Hour, we explore the science of sleep with expert guests and our Kids Crew. Learn more about sleep, see photos, and explore activities at https://childrenshour.org/sleep We spend about a third of our lives sleeping, but it's far from wasted time! Our brains and bodies work hard while we rest. Neuroscientist Vishal Sumra joins us to explain how sleep helps our brains clean up, repair, and store memories. We also talk about dreaming and why some people remember their dreams while others forget them completely. Did you know we dream for about two hours every night? Sleep doesn’t just help our brains—it’s important for our bodies, too! We learn how sleep helps muscles grow and keeps us feeling strong and healthy. But what happens when we don’t get enough sleep? We find out how lack of sleep can make us feel cranky, forgetful, and even sick. Have you ever wondered how animals sleep? Do sharks really sleep with their eyes open? Author Stephen J. Simmons shares stories from his book Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? and tells us about the different ways animals sleep underwater. Plus, our Kids Crew shares their own sleep stories and questions, and we have a book review from Max! And, of course, we’ve got great music to dream to. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone with help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Chad Scheer is our recording engineer at Outpost Performance Space. The learning tools were created by Ronnie Reynolds. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    59 min

  5. FEB 16

    Ella Jenkins

    Join us on The Children's Hour as we celebrate the life and legacy of Ella Jenkins, the First Lady of Children's Music. Ella introduced kids everywhere to the joy of singing, rhythm, and music from different cultures. Her songs, filled with call-and-response, clapping, and playful melodies, have been teaching and inspiring young people for decades. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/ella-jenkins Ella believed that everyone can make music. Her songs often included call-and-response, where one person sings and others echo back. She encouraged kids to find rhythms in everyday life—clapping, stomping, and even knocking on doors! Her music was also about learning. She taught kids words in Spanish, Swahili, Hebrew, and many other languages. She wanted young people to know that music connects all of us, no matter where we come from. Many people were influenced by Ella’s work, including our guests Dan and Claudia Zanes, Jason McInnis and Maria Martinez, storyteller Bill Harley, and documentarian Tim Ferrin. This episode was produced by Katie Stone with help from Sarah Gabrielli, Jackie Fulton, and Thaneal Lentz. Thanks to Tim Ferrin for clips from his documentary Sing a Song Together. Special support for this show came from Bomi Parakh and Linda Blanchard. The Children's Hour is a production of The Children's Hour Inc., a New Mexico-based nonprofit. Our show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved.

    59 min

  6. FEB 9

    Black History is American History

    Black history is an important part of everyone’s history in this episode of The Children's Hour. We explore the stories of Black inventors, heroes, and pioneers who helped shape America. Plus, we dive into the human heart to learn about congenital heart defects and how people born with them can live strong, happy lives. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/black-history American history is full of stories of influential, resilient, powerful black people doing amazing things. With some of the most common inventions we use every day coming from black Americans, we have a lot to learn! Dr. Marsha Hardeman from the University of New Mexico shares stories about Black Americans who were trailblazers and pioneers in the American Southwest and beyond. Did you know that Black inventors gave us things like the traffic signal, folding chairs, and even part of the light bulb? We’ll also talk about the first Juneteenth and the Buffalo Soldiers, who created new paths and opportunities for generations to come. Black history is filled with stories of courage, creativity, and resilience! February 7 to 14 is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness week. We learn about the amazing human heart with Dubra Karnes-Padilla, a lecturer in the fitness and wellness education center at the University of New Mexico Valencia campus. Did you know your heart pumps oxygen to almost every part of your body? Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect in America, but many kids born with CHD grow up strong and healthy. We’ll talk about what makes the heart special and how to care for it. You can learn more about Congenital Heart Defects at https://www.achaheart.org/ This episode of The Children's Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Special thanks to Dr. Marsha Hardeman from the University of New Mexico Department of Africana Studies, and to Dubra Karnes-Padilla from the Adult Congenital Heart Association, for sharing their expertise with us. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    59 min

  7. FEB 2

    Eagles

    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.

    59 min

  8. JAN 26

    At The Bottom of the Sea

    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.

    59 min
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    4.3
    out of 5
    66 Ratings

    About

    Eclectic, entertaining, educational public radio for kids of all ages on every topic under and beyond the sun. The Children's Hour radio show includes kids in every production, and our themes focus on civics, STEM, culture and performance. The Children's Hour keeps everyone in the family engrossed, with great music and subjects that teach listeners something new, regardless of your age. Heard on nearly 200 public radio stations worldwide each week, and hosted by Katie Stone with her intrepid Kids Crew who are real kids learning to make radio. Subscribe and learn with us!

    Information

    • Creator
      The Children's Hour Inc.
    • Years Active
      2018 - 2025
    • Episodes
      273
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Show Website
      The Children's Hour

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