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The Children's Hour Shorts

The Children's Hour Inc.

The Children's Hour Shorts are designed especially for educators.
Each short, engaging episode features highlights from our award-winning programs, paired with ready-to-use learning guides and hands-on classroom activities that make teaching easy and fun.
Spark Curiosity with The Children’s Hour Shorts!

Bring learning to life with The Children’s Hour Shorts—a brand-new podcast series designed especially for educators. Each short, engaging episode features highlights from our award-winning programs, paired with ready-to-use learning guides and hands-on classroom activities that make teaching easy and fun.
From science and history to geography, vocabulary, and literacy, The Children’s Hour Shorts help students explore big ideas through authentic stories, expert interviews, and kid voices. Whether you’re introducing a new topic, reinforcing a lesson, or inspiring curiosity, these bite-sized episodes fit perfectly into your school day.
Every learning guide is aligned with current national education standards, giving you high-quality, classroom-ready resources that engage students while supporting your curriculum. Find the learning guides when you click on each episode.

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20 episodes
Avg 6 min
English

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Episodes 20

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August 1 · 4 min
Balloons Short 1: The History of Balloons and How They Work
On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore balloons. From party balloons to weather balloons, and from the first hot air balloons in 18th-century France to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the Kids Crew dives into the history, science, art, and wonder of ballooning. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/balloons-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 7 min
Balloons Short 2: “A Balloon’s Breath” by Composer Evan Daitz
Hot air balloons make a noise that sounds like a dragon breathing when they ascend into the sky. On this episode of The Children’s Hour Shorts, we hear an original symphony composed by an 11 year old cellist, Evan Daitz. Evan performs with the professional musicians of Santa Fe Chatter for this world premier of his hot air balloon inspired symphony, A Balloon's Breath. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/balloons-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 3 min
Balloons Short 3: A Description of a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Floating in the sky is like no other experience! On this episode of The Children’s Hour Shorts, Jena from our Kids Crew takes a trip in a special shape balloon. Hear her adventure from launch to landing, and consider how you might feel floating above your town. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/balloons-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 3 min
Being Yourself Short 1: Jane Yolen Talks About Her Book, Quiet as Mud
We celebrate being yourself with the award winning, late author Jane Yolen, who describes to our Kids Crew what inspired her last book, Quiet As Mud. Then, she reads the book to us. Find the learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/being-yourself-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 4 min
Being Yourself Short 2: Cartoonist Craig Yoe Talks About Mash-Ups
What makes something our own creative work? Where does that inspiration come from? We talk with longtime manager of the Muppets and cartoonist Craig Yoe about mash-ups and how they can create a unique expression of ourselves. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/being-yourself-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 3 min
Being Yourself Short 3: Creating The Muppet Show Characters with Craig Yoe
The Muppets are famous for having many characters, each one unique. Craig Yoe helped design many of them. We continue our conversation with cartoonist, and former Muppet manager Craig Yoe, as he talks about character creation for the Muppet Show. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/being-yourself-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 6 min
Breakfast Short 1: Breakfast Around the World
What did you eat for breakfast? From traditional bacon and eggs, to olives, soup, and rice, discover what kids worldwide have for breakfast to start their mornings. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/breakfast-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 5 min
Breakfast Short 2: Nutritious Breakfasts
Discover what makes a healthy breakfast with the Kids Crew and nutritionist Patty Keene. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/breakfast-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 1 min
Breakfast Short 3: Blue Corn Pancakes
In New Mexico, where The Children's Hour is made, blue corn pancakes are on many menus and tables in the morning. Our host Katie Stone shares a recipe for blue corn pancakes, and we learn about the origins of blue corn. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/breakfast-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 3 min
Composers Short 1: Listening to Music from Different Cultures
On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn all about composers — the people who write music. Have you ever wondered how songs are created? A composer is the person who puts the notes together, making melodies that can be played by singers, choirs, or even a whole orchestra. Some composers lived hundreds of years ago, and their music is still played today. Others are writing brand-new songs right now that teach, entertain, and inspire us. In this clip, we explore why it is important to listen to and learn from music from many different cultures and communities. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://childrenshour.org/composers-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 15 min
Composers Short 2: Classical Composers, A Timeline
On this episode of The Children’s Hour Shorts, we are learning all about composers — the people who write music. In this clip, Thaniel gives us a taste of the timeline for classical music. Where did it start, and how is it still evolving? Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://childrenshour.org/composers-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 1 min
Composers Short 3: Mood Music: The Sound of Feelings
On this episode of The Children’s Hour Shorts, we are learning all about composers — the people who write music. Composer Bill Sherman gives an example of of music can completely change our moods and our minds, and make us feel free. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://childrenshour.org/composers-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 9 min
Composers Short 4: Make Your Voice Heard - Music Writing Process
On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn all about composers — the people who write music. In a conversation with the legendary composer Bill Sherman, our intern Thaniel wants to find out how he does it. How does a composer take an idea, and turn it into a full symphony or song? We learn what inspired Bill Sherman to let his voice be heard in his music. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://childrenshour.org/composers-shorts
- Transcript
August 1 · 7 min
Do Something Short 1: What is Harassment?
The Children’s Hour takes on bullying by helping kids understand what they can do when they see someone being treated unfairly. The Kids Crew talks with trainers from Right To Be, an organization that teaches people how to respond to harassment in safe and thoughtful ways. Through clear examples, simple exercises, and music about empathy and courage, kids learn the Five Ds of bystander intervention and discover that even small actions can help others feel supported and less alone. This Short helps kids understand what harassment is. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/do-something-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 10 min
Do Something Short 2: Bystander Intervention
The Children’s Hour takes on bullying by helping kids understand what they can do when they see someone being treated unfairly. The Kids Crew talks with trainers from Right To Be, an organization that teaches people how to respond to harassment in safe and thoughtful ways. In this clip, kids learn the Five Ds of bystander intervention and discover that even small actions can help others feel supported and less alone. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/do-something-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 10 min
Firefighters Short 1: What's It Like to be a Firefighter?
Firefighters are helpers who rush toward danger when others need help. On this episode of The Children’s Hour Shorts, the Kids Crew visits Albuquerque Fire Rescue Fire Station Number Three in Albuquerque, New Mexico to learn how firefighters protect people, animals, and neighborhoods every day. In this clip we learn what it's like to be a firefighter. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/firefighters-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 6 min
Firefighters Short 2: Fire Safety Tips
Firefighters are helpers who rush toward danger when others need help. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew visits AFR Fire Station Number Three in Albuquerque, New Mexico to learn how firefighters protect people, animals, and neighborhoods every day. This clip teaches about fire safety and how we can all help prevent catastrophic disasters. Find the full learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/firefighters-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 8 min
Firefighters Short 3: Firetrucks and Tools
Firefighters are helpers who rush toward danger when others need help. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew visits AFR Fire Station Number Three in Albuquerque, New Mexico to learn how firefighters protect people, animals, and neighborhoods every day. This clip goes over the different parts of a firetruck that make it capable of managing firefighting, and the tools that firefighters use to attack fires. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/firefighters-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 10 min
Forests Short 1: What Makes a Forest?
Forests are full of life, stories, and connections we cannot always see. Learn how forests help keep our planet healthy, how trees communicate, and why old growth forests matter. With songs, questions from kids, and a biologist who studies trees and fungi, this show explores what makes a forest more than just a group of trees. In this clip, we meet Dr. Lisa Markovchick, an ecologist with Wild Earth Guardians and a scientist at Northern Arizona University who is studying the conditions of the Southwest United States' forests. In this clip she describes what makes a forest a forest, and not just a group of trees. Find the full episode, including the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/forests-shorts/
- Transcript
August 1 · 9 min
Forests Short 2: How Do Trees Interact with Their Environment?
Forests are full of life, stories, and connections we cannot always see. Learn how forests help keep our planet healthy, how trees communicate, and why old growth forests matter. With songs, questions from kids, and a biologist who studies trees and fungi, this show explores what makes a forest more than just a group of trees. Find the companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/forests-shorts/
- Transcript

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