Little Kids, Big Hearts
Helps younger kids develop social and emotional skills.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this podcast.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Little Kids, Big Hearts is a thoughtful and educational podcast that helps kids develop social-emotional skills and manage "big feelings." Young listeners can enjoy hearing other kids talk about their emotions and how they've handled familiar situations like a classmate being mean, or returning to school after remote learning. The host, Todd Loyd, takes a gentle and conversational approach with the kids, encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings. He also voices some lively puppet characters on the show, and leads the kids on mindfulness journeys to a make-believe world. These elements are sure to appeal to the youngest listeners. Episode guides and activities are available for free on the website in both English and Spanish.
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What’s It About?
In the LITTLE KIDS, BIG HEARTS podcast, host Todd Loyd engages with kids to explore topics like empathy, being an "upstander," global citizenship, and helping others. Todd introduces his young guests at the start of each episode, and then -- often with the help of a puppet -- brings up a topic related to social-emotional learning. He and the kids discuss the day's topics and share their thoughts. In an episode about standing up for yourself or others, Todd asks questions like, "What situations call for being an upstander?" and "Who do you go to for help?" Kid guests talk about using their words to stop a bully, walking away from a bad situation, or getting an adult. After some discussion, kids are led on a mindfulness journey to the land of the imaginary Qook-a-Lakas. These creatures ask questions about the day's topic that kid guests answer, all while enjoying gummy bears that grow on magical trees. It serves as a way to restate and reinforce that episode's message.
Is It Any Good?
This is a great choice if you're looking for a podcast focused on social-emotional skills that's empowering for young children. Kids listening to Little Kids, Big Hearts will enjoy hearing about topics that are relatable to them through the voices of other children. You can tell that the host is an experienced educator as he guides the children through questions and conversation but still lets them take center stage. Some of the more fantastical elements, like the puppet characters and the land of the Qook-a-Lakas, will probably appeal most to the preschool/kindergarten audience, but there is a lot for older children to get out of this as well.
Little Kids, Big Hearts is designed to help kids express their feelings, engage in honest conversation, and learn about empathy and friendship. At the same time, it's still entertaining and enjoyable to listen to. This podcast can serve as a valuable resource for opening up a dialogue between caregivers and kids, and there are discussion guides for educators and families available on the website.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Little Kids, Big Hearts lets kids speak openly about their personal experiences. Do you think it helps to hear directly from other kids? Why?
Kids from around the world are featured in this podcast, especially in episodes about being a global citizen. What does being a global citizen mean to you? What different parts of the world would you like to learn about, and how can you start exploring?
When do "big feelings" come up for you? What does it feel like in your body? Does it feel different when you're able to stop and name these feelings and talk about them?
What is your favorite feeling to feel? What's your least favorite? Why?
Podcast Details
- Release date: April 13, 2021
- Genre: Social Emotional Learning
- Average Run Time: 20 minutes
- Website: https://www.bigheartworld.org/little-kids-big-hearts-podcast/
- Host: Todd Loyd
- Publisher: Sparkler Learning
- Pricing structure: Free
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Empathy
- Last updated: June 21, 2022
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