Listen Together!
Kidventure Overview
In “Building Community Together,” Todd is joined by three thoughtful kids, Credence (6), Zuri (7), and Gabe (8), for a conversation about community. Together, they explore what community means, from families and schools to neighborhoods, teams, and places of worship. They discuss how neighbors welcome one another, how teachers and grown-ups help when things feel hard, and how volunteering and helping others can make a difference.
Then, the kids close their eyes and travel on a butterfly bus to the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where they meet Quandy, a Qook-a-lacka whose community is facing a BIG problem. A whirlwind has scattered supplies all over the Land just before the big bright block party, leaving Quandy 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. Together, they discover that community isn’t about perfection; it’s about sharing ideas, helping one another, and building something meaningful together.
About Guest Star Mandy Gonzalez
Mandy Gonzalez is an accomplished film, TV, stage actor and author. 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.
Mandy released her debut album FEARLESS, as a Warner Music East/West artist, and she’s also an accomplished author who recently published her Young Adult series, FEARLESS, with Simon and Schuster.
Mandy is deeply committed to advocating for underserved communities and schools, and is the founder of #FearlessSquad, a social media movement for inclusiveness and positivity. Learn more on her website.
Listen Together, Learn Together!
IN THIS EPISODE, KIDS WILL:
- Explore what community means in age-appropriate ways
- Learn how helping others strengthens connection and belonging
- Discover that everyone can contribute to their community
- Use imagination to turn challenges into opportunities
GROWN-UPS, YOU CAN EXTEND THE CONVERSATION BY ASKING:
- What communities are you a part of?
- Who helps you when things feel hard?
- How can we help others in our community, even in small ways?
Extend the Learning
After listening, extend the learning with discussion and play activities to support children’s understanding of the big idea of “community.” We are 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.
Join the Conversation
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