It’s Halloween time on The Children’s Hour! In this episode, we celebrate pumpkins, jack-o’-lanterns, costumes, and trick-or-treating. Our Kids Crew shares their own traditions, from trunk-or-treat clothing drives to festive parades in northern New Mexico. We’ll find out why some houses put teal pumpkins outside their doors, and learn how this helps kids with food allergies have a safe and fun holiday.

Find the learning guide and activities at https://childrenshour.org/pumpkin-spice

Corbit uncovers the spooky story of Stingy Jack and how jack-o’-lanterns began, while Isaac explores the history, varieties, and surprising facts about pumpkins. We even discover why pumpkins are considered a fruit, how Native Americans first used them, and the many shapes, colors, and flavors they come in today.
One of the strangest traditions in Halloween is trick or treating. Why do we go door to door and bother our neighbors, banging on their doors and asking for candy or other treats? The tradition is not as old as you might think, according to our host Katie Stone.

We also hear from Charlotte Joseph of the Anaphylactic Food Allergy Support New Mexico Network, who explains the Teal Pumpkin Project and how we can all make Halloween more inclusive. Plus, there are lots of Halloween songs throughout the show to keep the fun rolling!

From all of us at The Children’s Hour, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween! Bring a flashlight if you trick or treat, and remember if the porch lights are out, skip that house.


This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, and Thaniel Lentz. Learning materials were created by Amber Shiel. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

How old is that tree in your yard, the forest, or the park? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn how scientists can answer that question by studying tree rings. The Kids Crew is joined by Dr. Peter M. Brown, a dendrochronologist from Rocky Mountain Tree Ring Research. A dendrochronologist studies the science of tree rings, which can tell us not only how old a tree is, but also stories about weather, droughts, floods, wildfires, and even human history.

Find the full episode page and learning guide with activities at https://childrenshour.org/dating-trees

Dr. Brown explains how trees grow a new ring every year. Wide rings mean the tree had plenty of water and sunshine, while narrow rings show times of stress, such as drought. The Kids Crew learns how scientists use an instrument called an increment borer to take small samples of trees without cutting them down. This lets researchers gather tree histories that go back hundreds or even thousands of years.

We find out how tree rings can be matched, or “cross-dated,” to figure out the exact year an old beam in an ancient building was cut down. This process has helped archaeologists date villages and ruins across the Southwest and around the world. Tree rings also reveal the impacts of climate change today, showing how warmer summers and changing rainfall patterns are affecting forests everywhere.

The show takes us on a journey to meet some of the oldest trees on Earth. Methuselah, a bristlecone pine in California’s White Mountains, is nearly 5,000 years old. Dr. Brown tells us about giant sequoias, which grow wider than a classroom, and how they can live for thousands of years. We also hear about petrified wood—ancient trees turned to stone—that still keep their tree rings after millions of years. Even fossil wood can show evidence of forest fires and climate conditions long before people existed.

We also learn about aspen groves, which grow from one mother root system. Some scientists think these living tree communities could be as old as 80,000 years, making them some of the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth. While their exact ages are debated, their ability to keep spreading and regenerating shows the resilience of trees and forests.

The Kids Crew asks big questions: Can trees live forever? Why do some trees live much longer than others? How do forests change after fires or thinning? Dr. Brown helps us understand that trees are “modular organisms,” always growing new leaves, bark, and roots. Trees often die because of outside forces like insects, drought, or people cutting them down. But their rings remain as a diary of their lives and the environments they lived in.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Incorporated, a New Mexico nonprofit organization.
This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, and Thaniel Lentz. Amber Shiel writes our learning guides.

The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

The Kids Crew discover the animals living right outside our doors. From prairie dogs, coyotes, and roadrunners in New Mexico to monkeys in Thailand, stray dogs in India, koalas in Australia, and wildlife in Brazil, we learn how animals adapt to city life. With expert guest Cooper Freeman and research from junior producer Thaniel Lentz, we explore the challenges and joys of living alongside wild creatures everywhere.

Find the full episode post at: https://www.childrenshour.org/animals-in-the-backyard/

Everywhere people live, animals live too. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore the creatures that share our backyards, neighborhoods, and cities. From prairie dogs in New Mexico to coyotes in Albuquerque, and even monkeys in Thailand, the Kids Crew and our guests help us see the wild world right outside our windows.

Our intern and junior producer, Thaniel Lentz, researched the many animals that thrive in cities, suburbs, and rural places. He explains how prairie dogs create underground towns that provide shelter for owls, ferrets, and reptiles, even as their own populations shrink. We also learn about roadrunners, who dash at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, and coyotes, clever enough to use stoplights to cross busy streets.

Guest Cooper Freeman, Alaska Director for the Center for Biological Diversity, describes what it’s like to live with bear, moose, lynx, and even musk ox right outside your door. He explains how climate change is shifting animal habitats northward and what people can do to live safely and respectfully with wildlife.

We also travel around the globe: to Thailand, where monkeys roam city streets and even enjoy an annual buffet feast; to India, where millions of stray dogs live alongside people; to Australia, where koalas and magpies turn up in backyards; and to Brazil, where conservationists are restoring wildlife to the Tijuca urban rainforest.

Along the way, we hear music, poetry, and stories inspired by animals. The Kids Crew remind us that no matter where you live, wild creatures are never far away.

This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Thaniel Lentz, our junior producer and intern, with production help from Katie Stone and Sara Gabrielli. Amber Schiel writes our learning guides, which can be found at ChildrensHour.org.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization. We are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

©2025 The Children’s Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

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 full episode page, including a companion learning guide and activities at https://www.childrenshour.org/balloons/

We learn how the Montgolfier brothers sent a sheep, a duck, and a chicken up in the very first hot air balloon in 1783, and how gas-filled balloons soon followed. The Kids Crew discover the science that makes balloons float, and we hear how balloons are still used today in weather forecasting, reaching as high as 100,000 feet to collect atmospheric data.

We go behind the scenes at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest balloon gathering in the world, and experience the magic of “the box,” a wind pattern that allows balloons to return to their starting point. Our crew shares sounds from balloon chases, night glows, and even a ride in a special-shaped balloon.

We also meet 12-year-old composer Evan Daitz, who turned the sound of hot air balloon burners into his symphony A Balloon’s Breath, performed by professional musicians at Chatter in Santa Fe.

The kids in the Extinction Diaries at KFOI have a message about releasing helium balloons. It turns out they are catastrophic for animals, who mistake them for food and typically choke or starve after eating them. Balloons bring wonder, beauty, and inspiration, but they also remind us to take care of our Earth.

There are practical scientific applications for releasing balloons into nature, including the enormous weather balloons that you may see floating in the sky in the middle of the day. These are released daily from hundreds of locations worldwide, and help meteorologists predict the weather, and climate scientists see longterm weather patterns. 

Get blown away with us as we learn about ballooning this time on The Children's Hour.

This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with help from Jena Ritchey, Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, Thaniel Lentz. Special thanks to David Felberg and the musicians at Chatter for their performance of A Balloon’s Breath. This episode was recorded at KUNM-fm, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and the Sunspot Solar Studio, all in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Children’s Hour is a production of The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization. We are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

©2006 - 2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Everything we do uses energy, but not all energy is the same. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn about renewable energy—power that comes from sources we can use again and again without running out.

Find the learning guide, activities, and full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/renewable-energy

Our Kids Crew wondered: what exactly makes energy “renewable”? Experts joined us to explain. Rebecca “Puck” Stair, director of New Mexico’s State Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, told us how sunshine and wind keep giving us free power every day. Jim Desjardins, of the Renewable Energy Industries Association of New Mexico, showed how solar panels turn sunlight into electricity we use at home. Dr. Sherry Kelly, a geologist from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and New Mexico Tech, explained geothermal energy—how heat deep underground can be used to make electricity.

We discovered the many forms of renewable energy:
Solar, which works almost everywhere and gets even better when paired with batteries.
Wind, which spins turbines day and night to make power.
Geothermal, clean energy that comes from Earth’s heat and runs all the time.
Hydroelectric, both traditional dams and new storage systems that save power for later.
Even wave and tidal energy, capturing the force of the ocean.

The Kids Crew asked tough questions: Why do fossil fuels harm our planet? What makes greenhouse gases so dangerous? Can renewable energy replace all fossil fuels before they run out? Our guests explained how carbon dioxide and methane trap heat like a greenhouse, why change takes time, and how countries like Iceland are already running fully on renewables.

We also talked about what kids and families can do—speak up, make small changes like using less plastic or conserving energy, and dream about careers in the growing renewable energy industry. Most of all, our guests reminded us that kids’ voices matter most, because the future belongs to you.

This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabriellie and Thaniel Lentz. Chad Scheer records our shows at Outpost Performance Space, and Amber Shiel writes our learning guides.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization. We are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network, and supported by listeners like you.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved.

What does it mean to be a stranger in a new land? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore the experiences of refugees—people who must leave their homes to find safety somewhere else.

Find the learning guide, photos, links and the episode page at https://childrenshour.org/welcome-stranger

Our special guest is Rahim AlHaj, a two-time Grammy Award-winning musician and composer. He grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, where he began playing the oud, a string instrument that is more than 5,000 years old and considered the ancestor of the guitar, violin, and all other stringed instruments. Rahim had to leave Iraq during the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein because he spoke out for justice. His choices put him in danger, so he fled first to Jordan, then to Syria, and finally to the United States as a political refugee. Today, Rahim calls Albuquerque, New Mexico his home.

Rahim explains what it means to be a refugee. He reminds us that nobody chooses to leave their home unless they are forced to. Refugees bring their knowledge, skills, and culture with them—whether they are teachers, doctors, musicians, or farmers. By welcoming them, we gain stronger, more diverse communities filled with new ideas, food, art, and traditions.

Our Kids Crew had many questions for Rahim. They asked what it was like to move to a completely new country, not knowing the language or the customs. He told us how even something as simple as reading a menu was confusing at first, but how music helped him find connection. Rahim also shared how he grew up so devoted to his oud that he named it “Habibi,” which means “my darling,” and even slept with it by his side.

The oud is round-backed and produces a deep, resonant tone. Rahim demonstrated its sound on our show, and it was unlike anything most of us had ever heard. He explained that the oud’s shape allows the music to resonate inside the instrument before flowing back out, like a voice echoing in a room.

The oud is one of the world’s oldest instruments, with roots tracing back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia. Can you hear the galloping hooves in his Horses song? The piece he played live for us at Outpost is called Baghdad, New Mexico, an homage to his two homes. Listening to Rahim play felt like traveling through time and across cultures.

The Kids Crew also learned about Malala Yousafzai, who became a refugee after standing up to the Taliban in Pakistan. When she was only 11 years old, Malala bravely demanded the right for girls to go to school. She went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize and inspire millions around the globe. Like Rahim, Malala shows how refugees bring not only their culture, but also powerful stories of courage and hope.

Throughout the show, Rahim emphasized that welcoming refugees is about kindness and fairness. The United States has always been a place where people come seeking safety, and every culture has teachings that encourage compassion for strangers. Refugees remind us of our shared humanity. By including them, we build communities that are stronger, more peaceful, and filled with variety—new foods, new music, new languages, and new friends.


Credits

This episode of The Children’s Hour was produced by Katie Stone, with help from our Kids Crew and our producers Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Chad Scheer recorded our show at Outpost Performance Space, and Amber Shiel writes our learning materials.

The Children’s Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc., All Rights Reserved.

On this episode of The Children’s Hour, junior producer and intern Thaniel Lentz takes us through the incredible history and science of animation. From early tools like the zoetrope and flipbooks to famous characters like Felix the Cat and Mickey Mouse, we learn how still pictures came to life. Thaniel explains how Disney’s Snow White used cels to transform animation, and how computers made it possible to create 3D films like Toy Story and Into the Spider-Verse. This episode is a celebration of imagination and the artists who make drawings move.

Find the full episode page, learning guide, links, videos and more at https://childrenshour.org/animation

Our show begins with the earliest history of animation. While many people think that animation has only existed since the invention of film, animation has actually been around for centuries. One example of a classical animation technology is the zoetrope. The image below shows a sculpture zoetrope, and the video demonstrates an image zoetrope.

Next, we meet some of the first cartoon stars: Felix the Cat, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and Mickey Mouse. Thaniel tells us how Walt Disney and his team made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated movie, using “cel animation”—where clear sheets let characters move without redrawing the background every time. This saved artists time and made cartoons smoother and more detailed.

We begin with early inventions like the magic lantern, a box with a candle inside that could project pictures on a wall. Thaniel explains how tools like the phenakistoscope and zoetrope used spinning images to create movement. We try flipbooks and learn how even simple drawings can show motion if you flip them fast enough.

Next, we meet some of the first cartoon stars: Felix the Cat, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and Mickey Mouse. Thaniel tells us how Walt Disney and his team made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated movie, using “cel animation”—where clear sheets let characters move without redrawing the background every time. This saved artists time and made cartoons smoother and more detailed.

Thaniel also teaches us the Twelve Principles of Animation, used by animators everywhere to make movement more lifelike and fun. We learn about "squash and stretch" (which makes characters bounce and bend), "anticipation" (getting ready for a big action), and "exaggeration" (making things more dramatic for laughs or emotion).

Then, we leap into the computer age and discover how animation changed with new technology. We hear about The Adventures of André and Wally B., the first short by the company that became Pixar, and how Toy Story became the world’s first full 3D animated movie. Thaniel explains how computers help animators “rig” characters like puppets, so they don’t need to be redrawn again and again.

Finally, we explore how today’s movies like Into the Spider-Verse, Wolfwalkers, and The Wild Robot use a mix of hand-drawn art and digital tools to create bold, unique animation styles. From chalkboards to CGI, Thaniel shows us how artists keep finding new ways to bring imagination to life.

This episode was written and produced by our Junior Producer and Intern Thaniel Lentz, with help from Katie Stone and Sarah Gabrielli.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to creating high-quality children’s public radio. We’re distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network, and we’re supported by listeners like you.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Have you ever looked up and spotted a bright red dot in the night sky? That’s Mars — our neighbor in the solar system, and a planet full of mysteries. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we journey to the Red Planet with planetary volcanologist Dr. Larry Crumpler from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He works directly with NASA’s Perseverance Rover, which is exploring Mars right now!

Find the full episode page and learning guide at https://childrenshour.org/mars

We learn why Mars is red, discover its enormous volcanoes and deep canyons, and find out what makes it similar to Earth. Dr. Crumpler explains how rovers land, what they do once they’re there, and how they help us look for signs of life. We hear about Mars’ two tiny moons, its wild dust storms, and why it’s so dry. You’ll also discover how scientists might make oxygen on Mars and what it would take to send people there in the future.

Our Kids Crew wonders if there’s life on Mars, how rovers survive the cold, and what the first humans might find. With music about space and plenty of questions, this show is your ticket to an out-of-this-world adventure. Find pictures, links, and learning materials for classrooms and families at ChildrensHour.org — look for “Mars.”

This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Chad Sheer was our recording engineer at Outpost Performance Space, and Amber Schiel writes our learning guides. Our theme music is by C.K. Barlow. The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What is journalism, and why does it matter? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn what journalism is and how journalists help us understand the world around us. We meet trailblazing reporters, hear from our Kids Crew, and talk with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. She shares what it means to be a good journalist, why she started her career, and how young people can begin telling important stories.

Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/journalism

Sherry Burr and Loretta Hall from the New Mexico Press Women explain how reporters get information and tell both sides of a story fairly. We also learn how to spot the difference between real news and paid ads. Plus, Illuminata from our Kids Crew reviews Maria Hinojosa’s inspiring children’s book, Once I Was You: Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic. With music, conversations, and curious questions from kids, this episode gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at newsmaking and the people who do it.

You’ll also hear how being the first Latina in NPR’s newsroom shaped Maria Hinojosa’s view of her job as both a privilege and a responsibility. And we explore how storytelling can change the way we see the world—and each other.

This episode was produced by Katie Stone with help from Eli Henley, Sarah Gabrielli, and Daniel Lentz. Chad Scheer was our recording engineer at the Outpost Performance Space.

Many thanks to our guests Maria Hinojosa, Loretta Hall, and Sherry Burr. Additional thanks to the New Mexico Press Women for their support of student journalism.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to creating high-quality children’s public radio. We’re distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network, and we’re supported by listeners like you. Learn more at ChildrensHour.org.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Birthdays are something many kids look forward to every year. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we celebrate everything about birthdays! From candles and cakes to songs, games, and traditions around the globe, our Kids Crew explores what makes a birthday special in different places and cultures. We also find out how birthday customs have changed over time, and where ideas like singing “Happy Birthday” or hitting a piñata came from.

Find the episode page at https://childrenshour.org/birthdays/

You’ll hear about birthday traditions in places like Vietnam, where everyone celebrates on the same day during Tet; and in India, where kids wear new clothes and honor their parents. In Brazil, kids get their ears gently pulled—once for every year! In Egypt, birthday parties are full of flowers and even more than one cake. The Kids Crew also takes us to Denmark, where the whole neighborhood knows you’re celebrating because your family flies a flag outside your house!

Back in New Mexico, we talk about quinceañeras, where turning 15 is a big deal for girls in Mexican and Hispanic cultures. We also learn the history behind the birthday song and find out where the tradition of putting candles on cakes started. And we take time to remember kids who celebrate the day they were adopted. If you’ve ever had a birthday, or wanted to know how others mark theirs, this show is for you!

This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, Executive Producer and Host with production support from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., distributed by Native Voice One, and supported by listeners like you. Find more at ChildrensHour.org/birthdays

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Have you ever wished your classroom could be outside? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore what happens when kids learn in the open air. We visit summer programs across New Mexico where children share how nature helps them feel strong, calm, and curious.

Find our learning guide and the full episode page with activity links at https://ChildrensHour.org/every-kid-outside

We learn how sunshine, trees, birds, and even raindrops can teach us important lessons. The organization Environmental Education of New Mexico wants to make outdoor learning part of every school day for all students.

You’ll also hear from kids in Mrs. Dawson’s fourth grade class at Valle Vista Elementary School in Albuquerque. These students went birdwatching every week at the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge. They learned how to use binoculars, identify birds by sight and sound, and then turned their experiences into creative poems. Their words show how being outside helped them see nature—and themselves—in a whole new way. They noticed birds in their neighborhoods, learned how birds build nests, and discovered their own connection to the land.

The idea of outdoor classrooms is catching on, and for good reason. Kids who learn outside are healthier, happier, and more excited about school. From planting gardens to watching clouds or counting insects, there are endless ways to explore the world right outside your door. Whether you're in the city, the mountains, or the desert, nature is ready to be your teacher.

The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, Executive Producer and Host with production support from Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, Marci Krivonen, Thaniel Lentz, and Eli Henley. Chad Scheer was our recording engineer at Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our learning guide was written by Amber Schiel.

Thanks to the team at Environmental Education of New Mexico. Special thanks to Mrs. Dawson’s fourth grade class at Valle Vista Elementary, whose bird poems and reflections brought this episode to life.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., distributed by Native Voice One, and supported by listeners like you. Find more at ChildrensHour.org/every-kid-outside.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Join our Kids Crew in a conversation with the beloved children’s authors, Goosebump’s RL Stine and Marc Brown, the author and illustrator of the Arthur books and TV show. We discover their secrets to creating some of the most widely read kids’ books of all time. Get reading with The Children’s Hour!

Find the full episode post at: https://www.childrenshour.org/reading-and-writing/

RL Stine is the author of more than 150 Goosebumps books, and now is working on a TV adaptation of Goosebumps that just launched on Disney+. He is able to write a Goosebump book in one month!

Marc Brown has written more than 50 Arthur books, and his animated PBS Kids show brings many of these to life.  Marc thinks of himself as an illustrator more than an author.

The authors are good friends in real life, and they collaborate on illustrated children’s books together, and their latest is Why Did the Monster Cross the Road. We learn about the story behind that book, and hear why the artwork is so distinct for Marc Brown.

Then, Jude from our Kids Crew gives a review of the book, which is targeted for kids 4 to 7 years old.

RL Stine and Marc Brown join us for the full hour, answering a lot of our questions. We learn about their writing styles and discover how different they are from one another. The Kids Crew explores their secrets to keeping children engaged in reading, and we learn about their favorite books.
 
This episode was produced by Katie Stone, with help from producers Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, and Thaniel Lentz. Many thanks to RL Stine and Marc Brown for being with us on the show. 

The Children's Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This time on The Children's Hour we learn about the concept of querencia: the feeling of "home" in a place, and within our communities. Using poetry, imagery, history, music and sharing, we explore the elements of home with our special guest from the Center for Social Sustainable Systems, Alicia Chavez.

Find the full episode page at: https://www.childrenshour.org/querencia-is-home/

When you feel like you are "home" can you describe what that feeling embodies? We learn about this feeling, which is more than a feeling, really. In Spanish, the concept of querencia is much more than just "home."  Querencia is a sense of peace, belonging, purpose, resilience, and community. 

Alicia Chavez from the Center for Social Sustainable Systems walks us through some of the curriculum the organization has developed for schools to teach the concept of querencia in their classrooms, called Ciclos de Tierra (Cycles of the Earth). One of the first exercises is for our Kids Crew to examine art that for some, reminds them of their hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In New Mexico and other desert agricultural communities, we rely upon a system of irrigation canals to grow our food. For centuries, the acequia system has brought the waters of the Rio Grande to farms across our state. The acequia system relies upon a community to work together to predict the water flow, maintain the ditches, and irrigate the lands. This is querencia in action, and it happens everywhere in the world reliant upon ditch irrigation to keep the fields fertile and producing crops.

We use poetry to help us describe our querencias, and we kick it off with our own educator at The Children's Hour, Lorraine Archibald, whose querencia sounds like cumbia music. The Kids Crew describe how it feels to be home, and what makes our home in the high desert mountains so special.  Everyone has something they can describe about the place where they live, that only a person very familiar with the land can know. Here in Albuquerque, we delight in our pink sunsets glowing on the Sandia Mountains, and we treasure our precious waters in the Rio Grande.

Join us as we discover what makes a place truly home, and practice the exercises with our Kids Crew to find your own querencia in a lesson from Alicia Chavez. 

This episode was written and produced by Executive Producer, Katie Stone, with help from producers Christina Stella, Eli Henley, Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Lorraine Archibald provided educational consultation for this episode. Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico hosts our recording sessions, where Chad Scheer is our recording engineer.

The Children's Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network.

©2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Tigers and snow leopards are two of the most powerful and secretive big cats on the planet. This week on The Children’s Hour, our Kids Crew learns from zookeepers and wildlife experts who study and care for these amazing animals. Discover how tigers and snow leopards survive in the wild, how zoos help them thrive, and what we can do to protect them. Join us for a wild adventure into the lives of these majestic felines!

Astronomy begins at home, just looking up and seeing what we see. The Kids Crew meet with Professor Raman Prinja, Head of Astronomy and Physics at University College in London. Professor Prinja’s book Wonders of the Night Sky details the many celestial sights we can see just by looking up at the sky after dark.

Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/just-look-up

Exploring the universe and its wonders does not require a spaceship or even a telescope, but just by paying attention and looking up. Professor Raman Prinja, in conversation with the Kids Crew leads us on a journey through what sparked his own curiosity as a child. It was the moon.

We also learn about the incredibly rare circumstances that cause eclipses.

Professor Prinja teaches us a little about black holes and how astronomers know they are there. He also leads us on an exploration of the composition of our sun, and how solar flares can cause auroras at our planet's poles. Find out why Europa is one of the most interesting moons in our solar system. There's even more to explore in his book, and in our conversation!

We also hear a review by our host Katie Stone of Wonders of the Night Sky: Astronomy Starts With Just Looking Up. Spoiler: she loved the book!

This show is packed with information about astronomy, physics, and will spark an interest in just looking up to explore the wonders of the universe.

This episode of The Children's Hour was produced by our Executive Director, Katie Stone, producers Christina Stella, Anne Marie Awad, Gus Tafoya, and Thaniel Lentz.

The Children's Hour radio show is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network.

©2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What does the Pledge of Allegiance really mean? And what makes someone a great leader? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore patriotism and leadership with bilingual eighth graders from Washington Middle School and fourth graders from Adobe Acres Elementary in Albuquerque. These students share powerful insights about what it means to love your country, and why some people protest the pledge while others embrace it.

Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/patriotism-leadership

We learn about the words in the Pledge of Allegiance and how different groups understand patriotism in unique ways. From DACA recipients and the history of the flag to peaceful protests and the struggles for equality, these middle schoolers reflect on what freedom and justice for all truly look like. Then, fourth graders describe the traits of a good leader, including kindness, fairness, bravery, and honesty—naming heroes from history and today, like Malala, Barack Obama, and Martin Luther King Jr.

This show also includes a short history of the Pledge of Allegiance and the reasons it has changed over time. We think about what it means to take a stand—or a knee—for the things you believe in, and how young people can be leaders in their own communities by learning, listening, and speaking out.

Katie Stone, is our Executive Producer and Host. This episode also included production help from Marcy Krivonen, Sarah Gabrielli, and Thaniel Lentz.

Many thanks to Albuquerque Public Schools teachers Allison Hawks at Washington Middle School and Christina Rincon at Adobe Acres Elementary for sharing their brilliant students’ work with us.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour, Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit, and is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All rights reserved.

Who’s hooting? This time on The Children’s Hour, we learn all about owls. Inspired by Mrs. Monica Charles’s second grade class from Coronado Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we explore the lives of these mysterious night flyers.

Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/owls

The 2nd graders share their owl research, discuss findings from dissecting owl pellets, and teach us why owls are so important, how to keep them protected, and much more!

We also learn from our special guests at The Owl Research Institute, in Charlo, Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Denver Holt is the founder and president of ORI, and Beth Mendelsohn is a research biologist at the institute who focuses on North American owls. We hear about all of the incredible projects of the institute; including supporting year round field research of wild owls, organizing outreach and events to teach the public, and working towards conservation to help protect owls.

With more than 200 species of owls around the world, maybe you have had the experience like some of our Kids Crew, of seeing owls in the wild? Stay tuned to learn all about owls with us, coming up on The Children’s Hour.

This episode was produced by Katie Stone, our Executive Producer, with production help from producers Chritina Stella, Gus Tafoya, Sarah Gabrieli and Thaniel Lentz. Our recording engineer at Outpost is Chad Scheer. We want to give special thanks to the second grade students in Mrs. Charles classroom at Coronado Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico for their inspiring research and writing on owls.

(c) 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we immerse ourselves in good vibes for summertime fun with some excellence in Kindie music and a classic Bill Harley story about the terror of the high dive, and the power of unrequited love. Be uplifted with us and spread the joy of summer.

Have you ever seen a story carved into a rock? This week on The Children’s Hour, we explore the meaning and magic of petroglyphs - images etched into stone by ancient hands.

Find a learning guide, activities, and the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/petroglyphs

Our Kids Crew visited Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project, home to more than 60,000 documented carvings, and talked with archaeologist Jerod Roberts, educator Sandy Romero, and volunteer Judy Chaddick. Then we met up with Ranger David Ottaviano from Petroglyph National Monument to learn how these fragile images are preserved. We also heard from Todd Scissons, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer from Acoma Pueblo, about what petroglyphs still mean to Pueblo people today. Come discover how these images are more than just pictures—they’re powerful messages from the past still speaking to us now.

On our journey, we learned how petroglyphs are made by pecking away the dark surface of lava rocks, revealing lighter stone beneath. The images might show animals, spirals, symbols of the sun and moon, or even spiritual journeys. Some carvings line up with the sun during equinoxes or solstices, helping people keep time and honor sacred traditions. We explored why it’s important not to touch petroglyphs, and how even small acts—like going off-trail—can damage them. Experts told us that protecting these sites helps us care for living cultures, because many Pueblo people still live in the same lands as their ancestors who carved these messages long ago.

Tribal historian Todd Scissons from Acoma Pueblo explained that petroglyphs are like storybooks carved into stone. They record important experiences and prayers, and connect people to their ancestors. He shared how the spiral symbol shows a journey—a path walked by his people through time. And we learned how different tribes see similar meanings in these images, because many Pueblos share the same roots and stories.

This episode reminds us that our landscape holds wisdom, memory, and spirit. You can find photos, a Learning Guide, and activities for this episode at https://childrenshour.org/petroglyphs

This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Gus Tafoya, Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. The Children's Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a nonprofit based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. Find more at ChildrensHour.org.

© 2025 The Children's Hour Inc, All Rights Reserved.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we're celebrating Father's Day with a musical special all about dads and father figures. Through songs, poetry, and rhythm, we hear how fathers love, teach, and support their kids in many different ways.

Find the episode page at https://childrenshour.org/for-dad

Our guest is the legendary John Legend. He joins us to talk about being a parent and how that inspired his Grammy-nominated children's album, My Favorite Dream. We hear songs from the album, including L-O-V-E, which features his wife and kids singing along. John Legend tells us about his musical childhood, how he stays connected with his children while working, and why creating music for kids has been a dream come true.

This special episode is filled with joyful, heartwarming music that honors dads everywhere.

This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Daniel Lentz. Engineering by Eli Henley, and post-production by Augustin Tafoya. The Children's Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a nonprofit based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. Find more at ChildrensHour.org.

© 2025 The Children's Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.