Episodi
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One of the earliest children's book series that took young readers into magical lands was the 'Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S.Lewis. In this podcast episode, two young readers (10-yr olds Darsh and Prakriti) share what they think of this book's plot, the writing style and how they would change the book (if they had authored it).
1. More on books that we recommend for young readers
2. Support our show by buying us a cup of coffee
3. Feature in our podcasts (for kids aged 7-15), register here
4. Read our newsletters 'Lighter Side' for kids and families here
If you have any comments or questions, please email me at [email protected]
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More people in S.Korea bought strollers for dogs than they did for children (i.e. human babies). The S.Korean government has been alarmed by this trend. While people who have been observing changes in S.Korea over the past twenty years are not really surprised, they still are worried. Why are people not happy with dogs getting more strollers than human babies? What next? Listen to the full episode to find out why.
Co-host: Smyan Shetty (10-yrs old)
1. Where idlis came from
2. Support our show by buying us a cup of coffee
3. Feature in our podcasts (for kids aged 7-15), register here
4. Read our newsletters 'Lighter Side' for kids and families here
If you have any comments or questions, please email me at [email protected]
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Episodi mancanti?
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One street that is often used by cyclists and pedestrians in Prague has been renamed as Nicholas Winton street. He was no Olympic athlete but had accomplished something else of Olympian proportions. During 1939, he had helped hundreds of Jewish children flee from Nazi persecution and gain safe entrance into Britain. For over 50 years, his actions went unremarked until a British TV show brought them into common memory. As we see ever more wars and conflicts, and refugees fleeing these zones, this story is a warm reminder of the wonders that can be done if we had compassion and courage.
1. Watch the video of Nicholas Winton in the TV show That's Life!
2. Support our show by buying us a cup of coffee
3. Feature in our podcasts (for kids aged 7-15), register here
4. Read our newsletters for kids and families here
If you have any comments or questions, please email me at [email protected]
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Earth is wonderful, but one day we might need more space to live, especially as our world changes. If we could travel to Mars and build homes there, that would solve a lot of our problems right? SpaceX just launched a giant rocket that has taken one step closer to getting to Mars. Before you get excited about booking your next summer vacation in Mars, hold onto that thought for a few years more.
Listen to Darsh (10 yr old, Chennai) and Rohan (10 yr old, Chennai) to find out about why the SpaceX Superheavy is a big milestone in space exploration.
1. Listen to the India Space Podcast series here
2. Listen to the episode on Dogs in Italy
3. SpaceX website - read dimensions of the Starship rocket
4. Watch the video of how the two arms caught the rocket
5. Support our show by buying us a cup of coffee
6. Feature in our podcasts (for kids aged 7-15), register here
7. Read our newsletters for kids and families here
If you have any comments or questions, please email me at [email protected]
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Just like the tale of the old man whose three sons used their silver coins differently, this episode explores how two countries used their pots of liquid gold differently. This episode is styled like a 'Discovery Game'.
We drop new information about what happens in each country every few years, as the game goes on. The cohost (Devansh, 5th grader from Kolkata) makes guesses about what happens to each of these countries. Devansh also gets to decide where he would like to live in (and is allowed to shift between the two countries freely) as the game goes on. It's kind of a masterclass in prediction and exploration :)
Additional links and resources
1. Recommended episode on why health drinks can be bad for kids
2. Pre-order your 2024 copy of the Lighter Side magazine for kids and families covering the top news stories of the year
3. To join Sangeetha as a cohost (just like Devansh), register here
4. Buy us a cup of coffee to keep this podcast going
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Stephen Hawking and his daughter Lucy Hawking forayed into writing a science-fiction book series for young kids. This book (George's secret key to the universe) is the first of the series. The plot involves two young children traveling in space involving a mixed bag of adventures. The authors have also incorporated many images from NASA's repository to bring real science into the hands of the young.
In this episode, four primary schoolers joined us to share their opinions of the book as well as creative ideas of how they would explore space if they had a chance.
If you are looking for a new book to pick up for your 7-11 year old, this might be it. Listen to the full episode to find out more.
Co-hosts: Manisha Maheshwari (educator, Mumbai), Devansh (Kolkata), Prakriti (Mumbai), Smyan (California), Nayra (Mumbai)
Additional links / references
1. About Stephen Hawking
2. About Lucy Hawking
Read our newsletter for kids about current affairs
Support our podcast by buying us a cup of coffee
Send us your thoughts and comments via email to [email protected]
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When sixth grader Sophia came home with a sullen face from school, her mother Pilar Schiavo was busy contesting California's State Assembly elections. Sophia was so overwhelmed by the volume of work expected of her that she requested her mum to ban all homework if she got elected.
Pilar did win the election. She also remembered her daughter's trauma. Keeping these in mind, she has formulated a bill for the State to pass - a bill that mandates limiting homework or altogether banning it, in certain cases.
For more details on this homework ban, read our newsletter
Others
To enrol in our writing courses for children aged 7-15, check out the details here
To support this podcast and keep it ad-free, please donate here.
If your child would like to co-host an episode on this podcast channel, please register here.
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Food technologist and communications expert Sarika Singh speaks with Nayra (5th grader) and Shambhavi (10th grader) about foods that help kids gain height, improve their immune system, and whether having junk food is all that bad in childhood.
Resources
1. Book - Eat Right 4 Your type
2. Sarika's website - communications101
3. Listen - why bournvita and complan are unhealthy for kids
4. Indian Academy of Paediatrics - height and weight chart for children
5. National Library of Medicine - nutrition and water requirements for children and adults
Support this show - Donate to keep this podcast free of ads and support the production of this show
Reach out to us with your questions and comments via email at [email protected]
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A food blogger on Instagram raised alarm bells about the so called 'health' claims made by drinks aimed towards the young. Following this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India directed these companies to remove these claims from their labels.
Joining us in this episode is Sarika Singh, a communications expert to discuss what's wrong with their health claims.
Child guests: Nayra (5th grader, Mumbai) and Shambhavi (10th Grader, Delhi)
Additional references
1) Read: Article in Economic Times on why Bournvita lost its health status
2) Video: How to read nutrition labels on drinks
3) Writing Course for kids - details (for any queries, drop us a note via email at [email protected])
4) More on Sarika Singh - her website and her podcast - Communicate 101 - speaking writing tips
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Exactly one year ago, on this day, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission landed its Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover on the South pole of the moon. To commemorate this historic event, India declared that it would celebrate National Space Day every year, on Aug 23rd. When the lander and the rover touched down on the moon, India held the distinction of being the ONLY country ever to have achieved landing on the moon’s south pole. This was a far cry from its early days when India's space scientists began work in a fishing hamlet with a bicycle and an old school for their factory. But one man’s vision, one man’s perseverance and one man’s dedication is what started it all. His name was Vikram Sarabhai. Tracing India’s space journey through history, we had earlier put out an 8-part podcast series.
Recommended listens
a) Part 2 of this podcast series on India's space journey
b) SpaceX to destroy the International Space Station in 2030 - Why
Recommended reads
a) Pictures and blog on India's space journey
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On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped foot on the moon. 2024 marks 55 years since this achievement. A forgotten astronaut was a part of this mission and we speak about his role and contribution to this mission.
Since the 1970s, there has been a lull in space missions - the kind that sends more people to the moon. However, things have started getting hotter again and NASA is working towards resuming moon-landing missions. We speak about what has prompted this change of heart.
Child co-host: Abhir Ghalke (7th grader, Mumbai)
Recommended listens
a) The story of how India's space missions began
b) Innovations made by Indian school children
c) How Jacky ran 104 marathons in 104 days
Check these out
a) Creative Writing Course for Kids - look up here or drop us a note at [email protected]
b) Support our show to keep this podcast channel ad-free for children
c) Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for free 'The Lighter Side'
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China's taken a giant leap in the world of electric cars, racing far ahead of most countries. More than half of the cars on its roads run on electric batteries, not on petrol or diesel.
US does not want any electric cars from China entering its country. Why?
Cohosts: Primary schoolers Advik (Chennai) and Smyan (USA) try to find the answer to this question.
Recommended listens by Advik and Smyan
1. Wheat and Lemon - why are their prices hard to reckon?
2. Harry Potter book review
3. Queens who ruled India - the story of Keladi Chennamma defying Aurangzeb
More reads on electric cars
1. How China leads the world on electric cars
2. US imposes high taxes on electric cars from China
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Greece leads the parade and the host country is the last to join the parade, every Olympics. In the last two Olympics, a new contingent joined the Olympics' teams. This contingent was the penultimate to join the parade (ahead of the host country). The participants hailed from across the world and were united by a cause and a flag. Who are these participants? What cause unites them? Why do we continue to have this contingent?
Co-hosts: Anindya (9 yrs) and Agastya (11 yrs) figure out who these participants are, and how they come together to represent a common cause.
Recommended listens by Anindya and Agastya
1. How search and rescue dogs save people in earthquakes
2. Why are orcas / killer whales attacking ships
Source information for this episode
1. Trailer of The Swimmers movie on Netflix
2. Read: Why the IOC Refugee team was formed
3. Watch: Video on this year's team for the Paris Olympics
Writing course for kids
To find details about our writing course for kids to become published authors, please click here
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For the first time, a 4-year old dog called Beacon joins the official staff team of the US Gymnastics. He will play an important role in maintaining the health and well-being of the players. Can you guess how?
The co-hosts Anindya (9-yr old) and Agastya (11 yr old) pit their heads and crack this mystery.
To find details about our writing course for kids to become published authors, please click here
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To find details about our writing course for kids to become published authors, please click here
SpaceX has won a bid from NASA for one of the most challenging tasks it has ever undertaken. The whole world will be watching the skies in 2031 as SpaceX attempts to destroy and take apart the ISS. Built over more than a decade and a half, the ISS will near the end of its useful life by 2030 and may begin to disintegrate if left in space for longer than that. SpaceX will begin a careful process of bringing the ISS to rest in a deep sea point on earth, without endangering the rest of life.
Cohosts: Darsh (5th grader, Chennai) and Aadya (9th grader, Jammu)
Recommended episodes
a) India's space journey and how the Ramayan TV series was telecast
b) NASA's dart mission to change the path of an asteroid
To support this podcast, you can buy us a coffee
If you have any comments or suggestions, do write to us at [email protected]
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This month, we reviewed the Harry Potter book series along with a group of primary and middle schoolers. This review is part 6 of a 6 part series. In this episode, we ask our reviewers how different are the movies from the books.
To join our book review club, please click here.
Book review led by Manisha Maheshwari. Young book reviewers who joined us were Prakriti (10 yr), Dhruv (10 yr old), Darsh (10 yr old), Aditi (12 yr old), Viyaa (10 yr old), Rishi (10 yr old), Rusheel (10 yr old), Hrudyaansh (13 yr old), Kiaansh (10 yr old), Pravit (10 yr old), Nayra (10 yr old), Devansh (10 yr old), Smyan (10 yr old)
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This month, we reviewed the Harry Potter book series along with a group of primary and middle schoolers. This review is part 5 of a 6 part series. In this episode, we ask our reviewers what would happen if an owl came their way and dropped them an acceptance letter?
To join our book review club, please click here.
Book review led by Manisha Maheshwari. Young book reviewers who joined us were Prakriti (10 yr), Dhruv (10 yr old), Darsh (10 yr old), Aditi (12 yr old), Viyaa (10 yr old), Rishi (10 yr old), Rusheel (10 yr old), Hrudyaansh (13 yr old), Kiaansh (10 yr old), Pravit (10 yr old), Nayra (10 yr old), Devansh (10 yr old), Smyan (10 yr old)
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This month, we reviewed the Harry Potter book series along with a group of primary and middle schoolers. This review is part 4 of a 6 part series. In this episode, we ask our reviewers how different is the magical world from the real world we live in.
To join our book review club, please click here.
Book review led by Manisha Maheshwari. Young book reviewers who joined us were Prakriti (10 yr), Dhruv (10 yr old), Darsh (10 yr old), Aditi (12 yr old), Viyaa (10 yr old), Rishi (10 yr old), Rusheel (10 yr old), Hrudyaansh (13 yr old), Kiaansh (10 yr old), Pravit (10 yr old), Nayra (10 yr old), Devansh (10 yr old), Smyan (10 yr old)
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This month, we reviewed the Harry Potter book series along with a group of primary and middle schoolers. This review is part 3 of a 6 part series. In this episode, we ask our reviewers who they would rather chat with - Hagrid or Dumbledore?
For the uninitiated, Hagrid is a half-giant and half-human. He is also the Gamekeeper at Hogwarts. He is the one who reveals to Harry that he is a wizard. Dumbledore is the Headmaster at Hogwarts. He is also in many ways - a friend, philosopher and guide to Harry.
To join our book review club, please click here.
Book review led by Manisha Maheshwari. Young book reviewers who joined us were Prakriti (10 yr), Dhruv (10 yr old), Darsh (10 yr old), Aditi (12 yr old), Viyaa (10 yr old), Rishi (10 yr old), Rusheel (10 yr old), Hrudyaansh (13 yr old), Kiaansh (10 yr old), Pravit (10 yr old), Nayra (10 yr old), Devansh (10 yr old), Smyan (10 yr old)
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This month, we reviewed the Harry Potter book series along with a group of primary and middle schoolers. This review is part 2 of a 6 part series. In this episode, we ask our reviewers what they would see if they stood in front of the Mirror of Erised.
For the uninitiated, The Mirror of Erised is a a magical mirror that shows the "deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts." The word Erised is nothing but "desire" spelled backwards, as if reflected in the mirror.
To join our book review club, please click here.
Book review led by Manisha Maheswari. Young book reviewers who joined us were Prakriti (10 yr), Dhruv (10 yr old), Darsh (10 yr old), Aditi (12 yr old), Viyaa (10 yr old), Rishi (10 yr old), Rusheel (10 yr old), Hrudyaansh (13 yr old), Kiaansh (10 yr old), Pravit (10 yr old), Nayra (10 yr old), Devansh (10 yr old), Smyan (10 yr old)
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