The Power of Community in Early Childhood: Why Belonging Matters

Young children are wired for connection. When they feel like they belong — in a family, a playgroup, a classroom, or a neighborhood — they feel safe and secure. That safety lays the groundwork for growth in every area: emotional, social, and cognitive.

This February, Sparkler’s Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast is focused on community — a topic that is important in childhood and throughout life.

On the first episode of the month — a kidventure episode featuring three kids, Zuri, Credence, and Gabe — the kids take an imaginary adventure to the Land of Qook-a-lackas where they discover that a big storm has blown all sorts of stuff — from shells to glitter to screws — all over the Land, disrupting plans for the Qook-a-lacka’s big bright block party. Together, they help a Qook-a-lacka friend, Quandy, who is feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to bring everyone together. With creativity, teamwork, and big-hearted ideas, the kids help transform piles of random objects into games, decorations, music, and art.

They discover that community isn’t about perfection; it’s about sharing ideas, helping one another, and building something meaningful together.

The guest star of the episode — playing the role of Quandy — is Mandy Gonzalez. Mandy starred on Broadway in the megahit Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler. She also originated Nina Rosario in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, In The Heights, for which Mandy received a Drama Desk Award. Mandy also starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked. Mandy recently performed a solo concert at Carnegie Hall with the NY Pops and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The second episode of the month is a “mission” episode: kids are sent on a “mission” of doing something to help others in their community.

Coming up for weeks 3 and 4 of the month are a fictional story focused on community and an interview focused on community with an amazing children’s book author Matthew de la Peña, who created “Last Stop on Market Street,” “Milo Imagines the World,” and other amazing books about community and other vital topics.

Resources About Community

After listening, extend the learning with discussion and play activities to support children’s understanding of the big idea of “community.”

Sparkler is sharing two different activities:

Little Helper, Big Impact: Create a plan of the ways you can help out in the different communities you’re part of…and figure out ways to contribute, whether it’s doing something kind for another person, cleaning up, or donating toys you’ve grown out of.

Helpers United: Create a collage of the helpers in your life.