When the tectonic plates start to move and the Earth starts to shake, it can be scary for everyone โ kids, grownups, and communities! In this special summertime episode of Tune Up, our friend Roxy, 9, joins us from Colombia, where she's visiting with her family. This week, Colombia experienced a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, which hurt thousands of people and damaged homes, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure. Roxy and her family are okay, but she was sad and nervous after the quake โ and she asks Benjamin and his puppet friend Bloop what to do. Natural disasters like earthquakes can be dangerous to people and buildings, and they can lead to big feelings like fear, shock, anxiety, and even helplessness. In this episode, Benjamin and Bloop respond to Roxy and share some safety guidelines from the CDC (which can be found online here). The CDC recommends ways people can stay safe during earthquakes. Benjamin puts the three CDC recommendations into a rap to make it easier to remember: 1. DROP down onto your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down. 2. COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) underneath a sturdy table or desk. 3. HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Perfect for kids ages 3โ10 and for listening together as a family. Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By: โก Talking about the big feelings members of your family have about natural disasters. โก Reviewing the three steps โ Drop, Cover, and Hold On โ so that you're ready for an earthquake. You can also practice the physical moves to help your family remember the three steps. โก Thinking about ways you can help others affected by natural disasters. โก Creating your own song about natural disasters and the big feelings your family members have when they happen. 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, Rosieโs 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. ๐ง YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler ๐ธ Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler ๐ 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. ๐ Visit The Tune Up Website: https://playsparkler.org/tuneup
