Season 5 of Sparkler’s Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast Launches With a Focus on Families!
Season 5 is Here!
The fifth season of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast has arrived! This season, we’ll be focusing on family, community, friendship, and more.
Each month, there will be a new theme related to growing big hearts (AKA social and emotional skills). The first Friday of the month, there will be a “kidventure” episode in which kids discuss a topic and then go on an imaginary adventure to the Land of Qook-a-lackas to help friends there solve problems related to the theme. The following weeks of the month, we’ll feature interviews, missions, songs, and fictional stories, all on the same theme!
Episode's Focus: Families
Our January theme is FAMILY. In the episode — “Who’s in My Family?” — our host Todd is joined by three thoughtful kids, Georgia, Jaden, and Carmine, for a warm, meaningful conversation about families and what makes them special.
Together, they talk about family traditions, bedtime routines, games, meals, and the everyday moments that build love and belonging.
Then, the kids close their eyes and travel as tiny imaginary particles to the Land of Qook-a-lakas, where they meet Quilliam, a Qook-a-laka who worries that their family is “just too teeny-weeny” to make a Dream Fest quilt square. With creativity, empathy, and big hearts, the kids help Quilliam discover that families of every size create meaningful memories and that love is what matters most.
The role of Quilliam in this episode is played by Ryann Redmond, an actress and singer. Ryann originated Bridget in Bring It On: The Musical, appeared in the original cast of If/Then, performed in Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, and made history as the first female Olaf in Frozen on Broadway.
Listen, Watch, Engage!
Listen to the Podcast on our RSS Feed, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
Watch it on YouTube.
Listen Together, Learn Together!
After listening, you can discuss and keep the learning going with your family or your classroom to explore the idea of “family” with your children.
In This Episode, Kids Will:
- Explore different family structures in an inclusive, age-appropriate way
- Practice empathy through conversation and imagination
- Learn that love, care, and connection define “family”
- Use creative storytelling to solve a problem in the Land of Qook-a-lakas
- Reflect on routines and traditions that build belonging
Grown-Ups, Extend the Conversation By Asking:
- Who is part of our family?
- What are some special things we like to do together as a family? Do we have any traditions?
- How are our family routines similar or different from our friends’ routines?
- What helps you feel safe, loved, and included at home?
- What would YOU include on your quilt square?
Keep the learning going in the classroom with a guided discussion and activities:
Family Quilt — create quilt square(s) representing YOUR family
Family Album — write/draw/paste together a book about the people in your family and the things that make your family special