Tune Up

Sparkler Learning

Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Listen to Tune Up to check out the songwriting process and the finished song!

  1. 1d ago

    Big Storms, Big Feelings! 🌪️ ⛈️ 💨 😳 😰

    Thunder! Lightning! Tornadoes! Big storms can cause big damage — and big feelings! In this special summertime episode of Tune Up, our friend Xander, 7, tells Benjamin and his puppet friend Bloop that a big storm came through his neighborhood this summer, knocking over outdoor furniture, hurting trees and scaring him and his brothers. Xander isn't alone! Big storms often cause big feelings — for kids and many grown-ups, too. (And for socks! Bloop points out that he, being a sock, especially hates getting wet in big rain storms.) Xander asks what to do about his fear of big storms. Benjamin and Bloop validate Xander's big feelings — because big storms ARE scary! — and discuss some ways to stay safe and get through future big storms. Then Benjamin shares a song that he created with his friend Dan Flannery called Thunderclap, all about "clapping back" when you hear the thunder. Here's the music video of Thunderclap — published in 2024 by ABC Boombox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uhh7IsJ3tY&list=RD7uhh7IsJ3tY&start_radio=1. Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: ⚡ Talking about the big feelings members of your family have in storms. ⚡ Making a plan — as a family — for how to stay safe and calm during the next storm in your neighborhood.  This could include a "stormy day kit" with games to play and projects to do together on a rainy day. ⚡ Making up your own dance moves for the song Thunderclap! ⚡ Making the sounds of rain and thunder with your hands and feet by clapping, shuffling, and stomping. ⚡ Creating your own song about big storms and big feelings. About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

    Big Storms, Big Feelings! 🌪️ ⛈️ 💨 😳 😰

  2. Jul 23

    Pretend Play With Bloop

    Welcome friends! Pretend play is important for children because it builds social skills, improves language and communication, and develops executive functioning. In this episode, get ready to pretend with Benjamin and — most importantly — his puppet friend Bloop.  Bloop and Benjamin help kid guests work through different challenges — from trying new things to going to bed at night to saying "sorry." You'll see Cameron (age 4), Maya (age 5), Nico (age 5), Zaira (age 8), and Zaim (age 5). As a teacher, Benjamin learned that puppet friends could help kids feel safe sharing big feelings and engaging in new ways. You'll see that in action in this episode.  Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: 🌟 Creating your own sock puppet and using it to pretend with your child. There are lots of great puppet making kits out there, or you can just put an old sock over your hand and give it a try! 🌟 Asking your child about the different scenarios in the episode. How would they (and their stuffed animals) react? What would THEY say if they got to ask Bloop a question?  About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup #tuneup #tuneuppodcast #sparklerlearning #learningtogether #kids #bigfeelings #kidsfeelings #bigfeelings #pretend #pretendplay #bloop #puppets #imagination #parenting #earlychildhood #childhoodchallenge

    Pretend Play With Bloop

  3. Jul 16

    When You Really Love a Sports Team ⚽️🌟

    Has your family been cheering throughout the World Cup this June and July your favorite soccer/futbol team? ⚽️ As we near the final matchup, we're excited to welcome you to our third special summertime episode of Tune Up — Bloop on the Stoop — where Benjamin and his puppet friend Bloop are outside on the front stoop chatting with kids about the BIG feelings that can come along with being a sports fan. Tzär, age 8, and his family have been cheering for Cape Verde. (2026 was the team's first appearance in the FIFA World Cup. In their debut match against Spain, they tied 0-0, earning a point!) He asks Benjamin and Bloop which team they've been rooting for and how they're feeling about it. Tzär has had a lot of feelings — he's been excited, happy, and sad — at different moments in his journey as a Cape Verde fan. Tzär isn't alone: Rooting for a sports team can be fun — but it can raise lots of BIG feelings because in every game, one team wins and another loses. Benjamin and Bloop discuss — and share some similar thoughts from our friend Brooke (also age 8) back during the NBA Finals. Then Benjamin shares a short, original song inspired by the kids' words, "WHEN YOU LOVE A TEAM." Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: 🌟 Asking your child how they show their love for their favorite teams. 🌟 Asking your child how they feel when their team loses — and sharing YOUR feelings about big losses AND wins. 🌟 Thinking about some strategies your family can use to move on after a big loss, and brainstorming some strategies to be graceful winners when your team wins. 🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own winning/losing/sporty song. About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

    When You Really Love a Sports Team ⚽️🌟

  4. Jul 9

    What can you do on a 🌧️ rainy day?

    Welcome friends! Welcome to our second special summertime episode of Tune Up — Bloop on the Stoop — where we're outside on the front stoop rather than in the studio. On this episode, Max (age 5) shares a question that's on many kids' minds: What can you do on a rainy day in the summer when it's hard to play outside? From their stoop in Brooklyn, Benjamin and his puppet friend, Bloop, discuss. They remind Max about the Tune Up episode with Zaira focused on being flexible. It can be hard — if you REALLY WANT TO play outside — to transition to a different indoor activity. But they brainstorm some ways to actually have a more fun, better day by having an open mind and thinking in a flexible way. Benjamin then shares an original song — RAINY DAY — that's all about spending time with the people you love on rainy days. Whether you're indoors or outside, jumping in puddles, a rainy day is OK if you're with friends/family you love! Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: 🌟 Asking your child about what they love to do on a rainy day. 🌟 Creating a bag of notecards with ideas for rainy day play. On the next rainy day, pull a card out of the bag to decide what to do together! 🌟 Writing/illustrating a story about a rainy day when something unexpected happens. 🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own rainy day song. About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

    What can you do on a 🌧️ rainy day?

  5. Jul 2

    Full Season 1 🎶 Tune Up Mixtape 🎶: Original Kids' Songs from the Tune Up Podcast

    It's time to put on your dancing socks again 🧦🎶! In this special episode, host Benjamin shares 🎶ALL🎶 of the songs from Season 1 of the Tune Up podcast in a special, 25-minute "mix tape" of catchy tunes for kids (and their grown-ups!) from the Tune Up podcast.  Each song in Tune Up is inspired by a conversation between host Benjamin and a child about something tough they're dealing with — from saying "goodbye" to friends to cleaning up your room. The kids' words turn into lyrics and their humming and drumming turns into the notes of the songs. The songs are performed by Benjamin with the kid guests — and produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones!  On today's episode, you'll hear the following original songs from Tune Up 📼🎶:  🎶 TUNE UP — the full podcast theme song — featuring singer/songwriter/host Benjamin, music producer Dean, and kids from Tune Up!  🎶 FLEXIBILITY featuring Benjamin with Zaira, age 8 🎶 WAIT FOR ANYTHING featuring Benjamin with Nico, age 5 🎶 SIBLINGS ARE TOUGH, featuring Benjamin with siblings Zaira, age 8, and Zaim, age 5 🎶 THE CLEAN UP DANCE, featuring Benjamin with Georgia, age 5 🎶 I CAN SAY SORRY, featuring Benjamin with Zaim, age 5 🎶 TRY IT, featuring Benjamin with Cameron, age 4  🎶 WE'RE INCLUDING, featuring Benjamin with Leo, age 8 🎶 KIND WORDS, featuring Benjamin with Sawyer, age 5 🎶 CALM DOWN TIME, featuring Benjamin with Georgia, age 5 🎶 CUDDLE YOUR STUFFIES, featuring Benjamin with Maya, age 5 🎶 OK ON A SUMMER DAY, featuring Benjamin with Brooke, age 9 Tune Up is perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. 🎶💛🎶💛🎶 Want to be on a future Tune Up episode? Is your child interested in sharing a problem/question with Benjamin & Bloop? Email us at tuneup@playsparkler.org to get involved with our special summer series! 🎶💛🎶💛🎶 Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: 🌟 Having a dance party as you listen to the episode! 🌟 Discussing the words you hear in the songs. Which words stick in your heads? Why?  🌟 Using the Tune Up method with your child to talk about and then make up a song about something tough — one of the topics in this episode or something challenging happening at home or at the playground.  🎶💛🎶💛🎶 About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. 🎶💛🎶💛🎶 About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. 🎶💛🎶💛🎶 Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ 🎶💛🎶💛🎶 Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🎶💛🎶💛🎶 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

    Full Season 1 🎶 Tune Up Mixtape 🎶: Original Kids' Songs from the Tune Up Podcast

  6. Jun 25

    Let's Keep in Touch This Summer!

    Welcome friends! Welcome to our first special summertime episode of Tune Up — Bloop on the Stoop — where we're outside on the front stoop rather than in the studio. On this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Brooke (age 9) discuss something that's a challenge for many kids: missing our friends from school over the summer! Brooke is going to sleepaway camp this summer, and she shares some of the ways she's going to keep in touch with her school friends during the summer months — as well as her excited feelings about seeing her camp friends soon.  After chatting and pretending with Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, Benjamin and Brooke co-create a catchy new song together called OK ON A SUMMER DAY using the Tune Up Method. Brooke plays the recorder, Benjamin plays his ukulele — and both rhyme the lyrics — to create summertime magic! Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: 🌟 Asking your child about their feelings as school ends and summer begins. 🌟 Writing letters to friends who are far away during the summer or finding ways to FaceTime or video chat with friends to stay in touch. 🌟 Creating a "summer book" where you and your child draw pictures or write stories about what you do and see this summer to share with school friends (and new teachers!) in the fall. 🌟 Brainstorming fun activities — crafts, outings, making your own backyard musical, etc. — to try with kids you meet this summer. 🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own summer song. About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

    Let's Keep in Touch This Summer!

  7. Jun 17

    Tune Up Mixtape Volume II: Original Kids' Songs from the Tune Up Podcast

    It's time to put on your dancing socks 🧦🎶! In this special episode, host Benjamin shares a special "mix tape" of catchy kids' songs from the Tune Up podcast.  Each song in Tune Up is inspired by a conversation between host Benjamin and a child about something tough they're dealing with — from learning to be flexible to saying sorry. The kids' words turn into lyrics and their humming and drumming turns into the notes of the songs. The songs are performed by Benjamin with the kid guests — and produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones! They're being released first here, and then as an album.  On today's episode, you'll hear the following original songs from Tune Up 📼🎶:  🎶 TRY IT, featuring Benjamin with Cameron, 4  🎶 WE'RE INCLUDING, featuring Benjamin with Leo, 8 🎶 KIND WORDS, featuring Benjamin with Sawyer, 5 🎶 CALM DOWN TIME, featuring Benjamin with Georgia, 5 🎶 CUDDLE YOUR STUFFIES, featuring Benjamin with Maya, 5 Tune Up is perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. Is your child interested in sharing a problem/question with Benjamin & Bloop?  Email us at tuneup@playsparkler.org to get involved with our special summer series! Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: 🌟 Having a dance party as you listen to the episode! 🌟 Discussing the words you hear in the songs. Which words stick in your heads? Why?  🌟 Using the Tune Up method with your child to talk about and then make up a song about something tough — one of the topics in this episode or something challenging happening at home or at the playground.  About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

    Tune Up Mixtape Volume II: Original Kids' Songs from the Tune Up Podcast

  8. Jun 9

    Cuddling Your Stuffies and Other Bedtime Tricks

    Welcome friends! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Maya (age 5) discuss something that's a challenge for many kids (and grown-ups, too!): bedtime! Together, they discuss some ways to calm down and get to sleep. After chatting and pretending with Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, Benjamin and Maya co-create a catchy new song together using the Tune Up Method.   The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music tomorrow, and soon on the Tune Up album! Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family. Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: 🌟 Discussing bedtime routines that work in your home. 🌟 Making a list of activities to avoid right before bed (e.g., running around, eating snacks).  🌟 Taking turns adding onto an original bedtime story.  🌟 Practicing a bedtime routine with your stuffed animals. 🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own bedtime song. About the Tune Up Podcast: Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups. About Host Benjamin: Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up. 🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler  📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ Credits: Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart. 🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:  https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

    Cuddling Your Stuffies and Other Bedtime Tricks
See All (19)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Listen to Tune Up to check out the songwriting process and the finished song!

Information

  • Creator
    Sparkler Learning
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tune Up
  • Show Website
    Tune Up