Kim John Payne is an internationally renowned family consultant and author of the book, Simplicity Parenting.

In this episode, Kim, David, and Rebecca use the Junkyard Tales story "Buster" to talk about what is traditionally called "teasing" and "bullying" and is a broader way of discussing "inclusion" and "exclusion."

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

In today's story:

Zippy, the porcupine, has a secret. It's a secret he doesn't want to share. He finally entrusts his secret to his feline friend, Ben Thompson: Zippy is being teased by a badger that lives in the field outside of the junkyard. Ben thinks they should teach that badger a lesson, but Sergeant knows how to discover the true source of the teasing and transform it with understanding and kindness.

This story is the subject of our conversation with Kim John Payne - author of "Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier and More Secure Kid."

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader - with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Request? Email us! [email protected].

Enjoy!

Jamie Martin is co-founder and editor of simplehomeschool.net and author of "Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time."

In this episode, Jamie, David, and Rebecca use the Martin & Sylvia story "A Map of the Year" to talk about planning, choosing curriculum and finding balance when homeschooling your children.

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

In today's story:

It is the first week of school and in Martin and Sylvia's house, that means transforming the dining room table into the homeschool work table. Everybody is excited about new books, new materials and indeed, new subjects to learn. This year, Martin is nervous that he will not learn the same things as his friend Sasha who attends the neighborhood school. Momma and Daddy suggest they make lists of all the things each family member wants to learn this year. They compile all of the lists into something like a map. A Map of the Year!

*This story is the subject of our conversation about homeschooling with Jamie Martin, editor of simplehomeschool.net and author of "Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time."

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

Dr. Carrie Contey is not your typical parenting expert. Her work offers a new perspective on children, parenting, family life, and being a healthy, happy, whole human being.

In this episode of SparkleCast, Carrie, David and Rebecca talk about common dynamics between siblings, especially when they result in conflict and hard feelings.

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

In today's story:

Sometimes Martin just wants to be alone – and this can be frustrating to Sylvia his younger sister. After Sylvia insists on playing the same games, working on the same projects and talking about the same things, Martin asks Momma for help. Sitting on the couch, Momma tells two stories – one about an older child and one about a younger...

*This story is the subject of our conversation about sibling rivalry with Dr. Carrie Contey, a human development specialist, and internationally recognized coach, author, speaker and educator.*

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

This week's SparkleCast features three producers and hosts of popular science podcasts for kids, who joined us from around the country: Lindsay Patterson, a science journalist and the co-host and producer of "Tumble," a science podcast for kids; Sanden Totten, a producer and co-host of "Brains On!," a podcast featuring science for kids and curious adults; and Eric Butkus, whose son, Nate, is the host of "The Show About Science" podcast.

In this episode, Lindsay, Sanden, Eric, David, and Rebecca discuss the story "Measuring the World," recall what got us all excited about science when we were children, and then explore ways to introduce and strengthen a love of science in kids today.

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

In today's story:

When Sylvia declares that she knows everything there is to know about her best friend, Sofia, Momma suggest she use the scientific method to test her theory. And what is the scientific method? Momma explains that it involves measuring, collecting data and then studying the data. Sylvia and Sofia then learn the difference between using the scientific method on rocks, plants, animals and then … best friends.

*This story is the subject of our conversation about science with three guests: Lindsay Patterson, a science journalist and the co-host and producer of "Tumble," a science podcast for kids. Sanden Totten, a producer and co-host of "Brains On!," a podcast featuring science for kids and curious adults. And Eric Butkus, whose son, Nate, is the host of "The Show About Science" podcast.*

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

Meghan Fitzgerald is co-founder of Tinkergarten. Tinkergarten provides engaging, early-childhood education in the healthiest classroom of all – the outdoors.

In this episode of SparkleCast, Meghan, David, and Rebecca discuss the story "Winter Wonder," in which Helmut, one of the Goose-eye Wilderness School apprentices, talks about how "wondering" can be an effective teacher in the natural world.

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!

In today's story:

At Goose-eye Wilderness Camp, Martin notices that his friend Sam is feeling tired of winter and missing her home in Arizona. He hesitates to tell her that there are still several weeks of winter left, but luckily Helmut, the apprentice from Germany, knows exactly how to show Sam the way to appreciate the gifts of Winter.

*This story is the subject of our conversation with Meghan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Tinkergarten.*

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! [email protected]

Enjoy!