In this special episode designed for parents (though PG for kids), Andrew & Polly discuss Jon Samson’s music therapy practice, the therapeutic benefits of musical improvisation, and how we as parents can approach creating a supportive mental health environment for our kids. Thanks to Jon for sharing his intricately crafted and emotive music with us. You can find more about his music therapy practice and more of his music at cocreativemusic.com or on his YouTube channel - share music, support musicians!

For Parents: The Benefits of Music Therapy  (62nd Grammy Award Winner John Samson)

Explore the absurdity and wonder of every day when kids talk about music, art, science and culture - one topic at a time. Packed with earworms and made with heart. - New York Times - One of the best podcasts for kids. - Common Sense Media

Kids & Family

Education for Kids

Metamorphic caterpillars! Fungus farming ants! Digital bees? Oh my! -- how can these all be bugs? In this episode, Avery talks about bugs in computer code and how she built a pollination video game with a Raspberry Pi. Izaiah updates us about the worms in the compost pile on his farm. And our friends at Valle de Niños in San Francisco take us on a tour of the life cycle of caterpillars. (Entomolgist Chris Wheeler also gets some words in edge-wise1)

A World of Bugs! (Earth Week remix)

What IS a CRITTER? Andrew & Polly ask some friends around the world about the different critters that live in their neighborhoods.
Ear Snacks is a free interactive experience centered around children’s voices & ideas. To support the work we’re doing for your kids (and all kids), become a supporter on Patreon or through Apple Podcasts Premium Subscription feature. Thanks for listening!
Need more snacks? Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok!

Critters around the World! (Earth Week remix)

An interview with a mermaid scientist!!!
This Earth Week remix episode of Ear Snacks features the bright light of science communicator and mermaid, Danni Washington. Check out her amazing book, Bold Women in Science, and her podcast for kids, Genius Generation.
Thanks again to our friends Arlo, Molly, Poppy, Opal, Sam, and Thiri (and their parents) for sharing what they know about lights! And thank you to all our listeners for your beautiful inner lights and for using them to help others see something new.
Please consider supporting our work this holiday season at patreon.com/earsnacks (and receive a cameo-style personalized video!) To learn more or to be on the show, visit earsnacks.org – thanks for listening!

Oceans vs. Microplastic vs. Mermaids! (Earth Week remix)

Happy Earth Week! What has 3 trillion trees and one kid named after a birch tree?
Andrew & Polly's family tree has (at least!) 3 tree experts who give us just the tiniest glimpse into the wonder of all things arboreal.  Thanks to Bay Area-based Plant Stars and Oakland Aesthetics for sharing what they love!
To learn more or to be on the show, visit earsnacks.org - and thanks for listening!

Family of Trees! (Earth Week remix)

What do you see during an eclipse? What does it feel like? What does it sound like?
In 2017, we asked kids and families living in the path of totality to record their experience of the Great American Eclipse. If you're getting ready for the total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024 that will stretch from Texas to Maine, check this out!
More awesome eclipse- and science-related listening goodness, including…

Our episode about Shadows where Mat Kaplan from Planetary Radio explains how eclipses are space shadows!

Our first Eclipse episode in 2017 featuring more great science and history stories about eclipses from our Kids Listen friends Mick Sullivan at The Past & The Curious and Molly Bloom at Brains On!


There’s also a brand new Eclipse MUSICAL out now by Alphabet Rockers


You can hear their song Syzygy and more mind-expanding bops on our Spotify Playlist: Science Class Soundtrack!


Ear Snacks is a podcast about art, music, science and culture centered around kids voices and ideas – if you know a kid with things to say, let us know! To learn more or to be on the show, visit earsnacks.org 
Are we still going to be podcasting during the next total solar eclipse in 2045?


For Parents: The Benefits of Music Therapy (62nd Grammy Award Winner John Samson)

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