Podcasts - Fun for The Entire Family
So many adults use podcasts as a tool to engage their passions, learn new things, and dive into interesting stories, but podcasts are not just for adults. During this time of COVID-19 restrictions, podcasts can be a fun way for everyone in your family to dive into new topics or expand their knowledge in an area of interest, while decreasing screen time and working on listening comprehension at the same time. They can be enjoyed individually or together as a family, sparking new and interesting topics of conversation. Let’s explore what’s out there.
One great benefit of listening to podcasts over watching television is that you are not tied to any one location in your home. For example, you can listen to a cooking podcast on a smart speaker in the kitchen, learn about National Parks during a walk in the park using an app like Spotify, or listen to a scary story from The Creeping Hour from NPR (best for ages 8-12) with your children on a tablet while camping out in the backyard. The possibilities are endless. Check out this information from The Podcast Host for a list of ways to locate and listen to podcasts.
With lots of ways to listen and virtually limitless access no matter where you are, there are thousands of podcast choices available and most are free. The Nora Project identified two options recently that speak to our core mission of teaching empathy and fostering friendships which are geared toward children.
Check out The Big Life Kids Podcast for something new for your children. They have episodes about kindness, mindfulness, gratitude, and so much more. Sesame Street also has short podcasts, some with video as well.
A set of podcasts called Sesame Street in Communities has a number of podcasts featuring topics related to autism. Listen to these episodes together with your child and talk about what you hear. The discussions that come out of this communal listening could be some of the best learning your kids do all day!
Many publications have put out “best of” lists for podcasts that have children as the target group. Check out the suggestions from WIRED, The New York Times, Motherly (organized by topic), and We Are Teachers (organized by age group). Or, visit Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts and do a search for “kids” to find more targeted content.
Many of us will be taking stay-cations this year. Create an oasis in your backyard or on the deck or patio, crank up the speakers, and listen to your vacation this year! Try Vacation Mavens with options for podcasts from around the world. Pick a spot on the map, sit back and enjoy. Set up a backyard kiddie pool next to your sandbox, and get in the mood with The Beach from Apple podcasts. Pitch a tent and listen to What Kids Want and Need When Camping from CampKids Family Podcast for some fun ideas. The big idea here is to create opportunities for fun and connection with your family.
Once you have become comfortable listening to podcasts, why not try your hand at creating your own podcast? This can be an enjoyable, family-oriented activity. Not sure where to start? Keep it simple and fun. Pick a topic, like telling a story about your favorite family vacation, or a tutorial on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich told by kids, for kids. Then, record using the voice notes app on a phone or tablet, and play it back for friends and family members. Enjoy!