The Children's Hour

The Children's Hour Inc.
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 age. Heard on more than 160 radio stations worldwide each week, and hosted by Katie Stone for over 23 years, with her intrepid Kids Crew comprised of real kids learning to make radio, tune in each week to learn with us!

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Archaeology

    In this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore the fascinating world of archaeology. The show was recorded live at the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies during International Archaeology Day. We meet three amazing guests: Dr. Eric Blinman, Mary Weahkee, and Marlon Magdalena, who each help us understand how archaeology uncovers the past. Dr. Blinman talks about how archaeologists carefully collect and study artifacts to learn about history. Mary Weahkee shares her knowledge of stone tools and ancient arrowheads, and Marlon Magdalena introduces us to traditional Native American instruments and their cultural importance. We even hear some of these instruments being played! Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/archaeology Our Kids Crew recorded this episode as a live broadcast inside the laboratory at the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies. The interviews with these archaeologists take us deep into their work. Dr. Blinman explains how archaeology is like solving a puzzle, where the clues come from things people left behind, like broken pots or ancient tools. Mary Weahkee talks about how even tiny pieces of stone can tell a story about what life was like long ago. She describes how arrowheads were made and used, and why studying them helps us understand ancient people. Marlon Magdalena shares how the Jemez people still use many of the same instruments and traditions that their ancestors did, showing us how the past is connected to the present. The Kids Crew asks great questions about how archaeologists know how old things are, what kinds of artifacts they find, and why it’s so important to leave ancient items in place. We also learn about the importance of context in archaeology—where an artifact is found can tell us a lot about its history. Marlon shows us how traditional instruments like turtle shell rattles and flutes are made and used today, helping to keep cultural traditions alive. Join us as we dig into the past and discover how archaeology helps us understand history. You can find more information and links about this episode at childrenshour.org. This episode of The Children’s Hour was produced by Katie Stone with help from the Kids Crew. Engineering was provided by Andres Martinez with post production support from Marty Adam Smith. Special thanks to our guests: Dr. Eric Blinman, Mary Weahkee, and Marlon Magdalena. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network. © 2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    59 min
  2. OCT 14

    The Story Keepers

    The Story Keepers – Celebrating Indigenous Storytellers This special episode of The Children's Hour honors Indigenous Peoples' Day with Laurel Goodluck, a children's book author. Laurel joins the Kids Crew to share her experiences and stories that uplift Native American culture. Laurel, who is Mandan Hratsa and Tsimshian, draws inspiration from her rich cultural heritage and her large, intertribal family. Her latest book, Too Much, My Great Big Native Family, resonates deeply with many of the Kids Crew members as they reflect on their own families. Laurel discusses the importance of seeing oneself in stories and why its vital for indigenous children to see their culture reflected in literature. As she reads from her books, she emphasizes themes of resilience, family, and the celebration of one's heritage. From her beloved book Forever Cousins to the inspiring biography She Persisted: Deb Haaland, Laurels stories not only represent indigenous experiences but also resonate with all children, offering lessons of strength and unity. We also hear a Kids Crew review of Too Much: My Great Big Native Family written by Lucasti and voiced by Caibiya, who both know a thing or two personally about being in great big Native families! Learn about Indigenous Peoples Day, a US Holiday that honors the first people who lived in the Americas, and celebrates their resilient cultures. Learn more about Indigenous Peoples Day, and the myths around Christopher Columbus at The National Museum of the American Indian website. This episode is mixed with great indigenous music from around the globe (but mostly in the Americas), and was written and produced by Katie Stone, and recorded at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque New Mexico. Our engineer was Chad Scheer. We had production help from Christina Stella and Gus Tafoya, and additional support from our intern, Thaniel Lentz. The Childrens Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, The Native American Radio Network. ©2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/story-keepers

    59 min
  3. OCT 6

    Get Bugged

    In this episode of The Children's Hour, we dive into the amazing world of bugs! Entomologist Jason Schaller from Albuquerque Biopark’s Bugarium joins us to teach us all about these fascinating creatures. We learn why bugs are so important to our planet and even how some of them can be a part of our diets! From bug biology to tasty cricket tacos, this episode will leave you buzzing with excitement. Jason Schaller is the Curator of Entomology at the ABQBioPark and Bugarium. We learn what his role is at the Zoo, and how he became interested in bugs. At the same time, he showed up to our recording session with a gigantic beetle on his shirt! Our Kids Crew had mixed feelings about this! Thorfin, like many people, is afraid of insects, while Amadeus loves bugs. Bugs might be small, but they play huge roles in our world. From pollinating plants to breaking down waste, insects are a vital part of life on Earth. Jason Schaller shares his expert knowledge about why bugs are helpful, and even how they help humans in ways we may not expect. Did you know there are over a million different types of insects? In this episode, we explore the diversity of the bug world—from butterflies to beetles to tarantulas! Insects come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and they live in almost every habitat on Earth. Whether you love them or fear them, these creatures are incredibly diverse and essential for a healthy planet. In many parts of the world, bugs are a regular part of the menu. Jason Schaller introduces us to the idea of eating insects and how nutritious they can be. One of the most popular edible bugs is the cricket, which is rich in protein. Curious about trying bugs for yourself? You can make your own cricket tacos at home! Check out https://childrenshour.org/get-bugged to find a recipe for cricket tacos and give it a try! This episode of The Children's Hour is produced by Katie Stone and The Children’s Hour Inc. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to producing high-quality kids' public radio. Production help was provided by Gus Tafoya. Chad Scheer was our engineer at Outpost Performance Space. Thaniel the Intern helps with our playlists and trancripts.  © 2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All rights reserved. Listen to The Children’s Hour anytime at ChildrensHour.org.

    59 min
  4. SEP 29

    Jimmy Carter: Celebrating a Century of Service and Compassion

    Jimmy Carter: Celebrating a Century of Service and Compassion In this special episode of The Children’s Hour, we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, just in time for his 100th birthday on October 2, 2024. Join us as we explore his journey from a peanut farmer in Georgia to becoming the 39th President of the United States, and beyond, with insights into his lifelong dedication to peace, human rights, and community service. Featuring music, interviews, and stories, this episode honors Carter’s remarkable impact on the world. Find the episode page at https://childrenshour.org/jimmy-carter On October 2, 2024, Jimmy Carter will celebrate his 100th birthday. As we reflect on his remarkable life and legacy, it’s impossible not to be inspired by his unwavering commitment to public service, human rights, and peace. From his humble beginnings as a peanut farmer in Plains, Georgia, to becoming the 39th President of the United States, Carter’s life has been a testament to the power of kindness, perseverance, and faith. During his presidency, Carter was known for his dedication to peace, including his role in negotiating the Camp David Accords and advocating for energy conservation. But his work didn’t end when he left the White House. In fact, Carter may be even better known for his post-presidency efforts, especially through the Carter Center, which has worked in more than 80 countries to advance human rights, combat diseases, and promote fair elections. His dedication earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, one of the many accolades he received throughout his life. Jimmy Carter also showed us the importance of compassion and community service through his long-time support of Habitat for Humanity. Even into his 90s, he could be seen swinging a hammer, helping to build homes for those in need. His faith, humility, and service have left an indelible mark on the world. As we honor his incredible contributions, we invite you to listen to our special episode on President Jimmy Carter, where we explore his life, legacy, and the values that continue to shape our world today. This episode of The Children's Hour was produced by Katie Stone with production help from Addie Arenas, our summer intern through the Albuquerque Mayor's Creative Youth Corps. Additional production assistance was provided by Gus Tafoya, Christina Stella, and Thaniel Lentz. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

    59 min
  5. SEP 22

    Running

    Running is more than just a pass time. It's more than just a form of exercise. For runners, running brings a deeper sense of calm and peace. This time on The Children's Hour we meet with multiple runners whose running influences their physical, spiritual, and social lives, including a blind Olympic champion runner George Mendoza, kids and others from the indigenous club Running Medicine, and Rep. Gabe Vasquez whose running helps him run for Congress. Get running with our Kids Crew, this time on The Children's Hour. Find the full episode page at https://ChildrensHour.org/running How can a blind person run and even make it to the Olympics? The Kids Crew meets artist, author, and blind Olympic champion runner, George Mendoza. His running and athleticism inspire amazing art. His paintings illustrate the new book, Colors of the Wind: The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza. You'll meet George, and hear his amazing story, and Katie reads his book. Then, we are joined by kids and adults from Running Medicine, a project of the Native Health Initiative where whole communities run together, no matter age, ability, or skill level. Leanne, Joshua, Payton and Maya from Running Medicine teach us about how running together has helped them in ways beyond just the physical. When the Kids Crew talk about how they run, and Cade mentioned Parkour as his inspiration, we got to thinking about the science behind why runners feel so good after a run, in spite of the muscle soreness they might experience. Running releases chemicals in our brains that make us happy, and help us cope with stress and anxiety. It also has real physical benefits to our hearts, lungs, bones, and muscles.  As we learn from the lyrics of one of our songs, kids need 60 minutes a day of movement and activity for their bodies to grow and be healthy. No wonder running feels so good! Finally we meet Congressman Gabe Vasquez, a runner whose running supports his run for his seat every two years. He is currently running to keep his position as New Mexico's Representative for Congressional District 2, and the Kids Crew wanted to find out more about how his running helps him cope with the stress on the campaign trail and his work.  This episode is mixed with great music. Find our playlists on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/5zARCKhKZAwNCq1SRVXqWZ The Children's Hour is written and produced by Katie Stone with help from Senior Producer Christina Stella. Chad Scheer is our engineer at Outpost Performance Space, and Thaniel the Intern helps with transcripts and playlists. © 2024 The Children's Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved.

    59 min
  6. SEP 15

    Caves

    This time on The Children's Hour, we're joined by three cave biologists who are researching life underground. Learn the basics of caves, spelunking, and hear about cutting edge research into extremophiles. Plus we explore some of the world's most extraordinary caves. Learn with us! The Kids Crew and Katie are joined by three cave biologists who are researching life underground. Dr. Diana Northup is a Visiting Associate Professor, BiologyProfessor Emerita, College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences at the University of New Mexico, Jenny Hathaway is the biologist inside Dr. Northup's laboratory, and Ryan Ozatalar is an undergraduate studying biology. We will learn basic facts about caves, like how they are formed and where we can find them. Plus Dr. Northup and her team are on the cutting edge of biological discoveries inside caves. We find out about microbes and extremophiles which inhabit all caves, even ones with air that is toxic for humans.  Are there some caves that are particularly amazing? We think so! Hear about the Great Room in Carlsbad Caverns located in New Mexico, the glow worms in Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, and the ecosystems inside Viet Nam’s Son Doong Cave. Back in the United States, we learn why Wind Cave in South Dakota is sacred for the Oglala Lakota Nation. This episode is mixed with great music, and was written and produced by Katie Stone, with help from Christina Stella and Eli Henley. This episode was recorded at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque New Mexico. Our engineer was Chad Scheer. Our intern Thaniel Lentz provided our transcripts and playlists. The Children's Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, The Native American Radio Network. ©2024 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    59 min
  7. SEP 8

    The Post Office

    On this episode of The Children's Hour, we learn all about the Post Office from the American Postal Workers Union Local 380 President, Ken Fajardo, who has worked at the United States Postal Service for over 30 years. We explore stamp collecting, and find out how the postal service makes a big difference in elections. Plus, puzzlemaker Riya Joshi challenges the Kids Crew to a puzzle. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/post-office What happens when we drop an envelope in the mail? Ken Fajardo walks our crew through the many steps a letter takes on its journey through the postal system. From cancelling the stamp with a date and location, to sorting the billions of pieces of mail that come through the USPS annually, Mr. Fajardo explains how each letter goes through a special process to ensure that people get the mail that was sent to them.  When we send a letter, we are putting that piece of mail into a complex system that is able to route that envelope to the recipient, but only after it goes through getting the stamp cancelled. Then the letter goes through many different sorting machines, to help narrow down exactly where it's supposed to go. Finally the letter ends up in the hands of our mail carriers, who deliver to each home in the United States. Mr. Fajardo helps us understand the job of the people who work at the USPS and he shares why he finds this work so rewarding.  While it is really cool to learn how letters go through the mail system, the post office has even more treasures inside. Some people take up a hobby called philately, also known as stamp collecting. We also learn about how the post office is critical to fair elections.  We also get a lesson in Latin with puzzlemaster Riya Joshi. Her site Wordy What (https://wordywhat.org) has puzzles of all kinds for kids of all ages. This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with help from producer Marci Krivonen, Christina Stella, and the Kids Crew. Thaniel the Intern reviews our transcripts.  ©2024 The Children's Hour Inc. All rights reserved.

    59 min
4.3
out of 5
55 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 age. Heard on more than 160 radio stations worldwide each week, and hosted by Katie Stone for over 23 years, with her intrepid Kids Crew comprised of real kids learning to make radio, tune in each week to learn with us!

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