At Engage the Brain, we are all about helping students and families: A. Get back on track, B. Stay on track and or C. Explore the tracks in more detail. Put another way, we provide families with: interventions, solutions and or enrichment opportunities.
A few weeks ago we posted a blog about Following Directions and provided some fun activities for parents to do with their child. This week we are going to suggest some of the best Podcasts for Kids to continue practicing listening skills in an entertaining way.
In this digital age when everyone (including children) is discussing the latest celebrity tweet and or viral video, one digital communication channel tends to get ignored: Podcasts. They are NOT as “shareable” or “consumable;” two must haves in today’s 162-character environment. But, often times they are rich in content.
Podcasts are great entertainment ideas if your family is traveling by car for any distance. Children can listen to them before bed to help settle down and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Or, after dinner, after all the homework is done and the dishes are put away, gather the family in the living room and listen to an exciting story told by real actors. Use of one’s listening skills and imagination is necessary to fully enjoy the podcasts.
Pause the podcast at natural breaks in the story or wait till the end and discuss the content with your child. Ask questions to determine his understanding of the topic. Try to start conversations. And share your thoughts too.
So, what are the best kid’s podcasts? Glad you asked! Engage the Brain selected 7 Podcasts from different entertainment categories. There is a link to each and brief summary of the content.
Best Kid’s Podcasts
Storynory – Stories range from myths and fairy tales to mysteries and humor. There are literally 100’s to choose from.
Stories Podcast – A wide range of stories are told in dramatic readings including the classics like Peter Rabbit and original stories.
Story Pirates – This great podcast uses cool sound effects to enhance the stories being told by “first-rate actors and comedians.”
Old Time Radio Nostalgia – This podcast uses actors and techniques that recreate radio shows that were popular before the invention of television.
Brains On– This fantastic podcast focuses on science and discussing how things work. It delves into gastrointestinal distress – think smelly noisesJ – and how a GPS unit works.
Astronomy Cast – This podcasts explores the cosmos and everything in outer space.
Classics for Kids – This podcast introduces kids to classical music in an entertaining way. In addition to the music, information about the composers is presented in a fun way too.
Wrapping it up
Everyone’s listening skills can be better. Many people have selective hearing… tuning in only when they need or want something. (Dads and kids tend to be guilty of this.) Listening to podcasts is a wonderful way to enrich your child in literature, music and science AND practice listening skills. Make sure you discuss the podcast; just listening to them is not enough. As a family, begin with the Best Podcasts for Kids listed above. Once your family finds one they like, it won’t be long before they find podcasts they love.