Hello From the Van

This week we dive deeper into natural disasters and explore Earthquakes! We answer the questions: - What causes earthquakes?  - How to prepare for an earthquake? and - What to do during and after an earthquake.  A HUGE Thank-you to this Weeks Educational Resources: US Geological Survey Website UC Berkeley Seismology  University of Utah Seismology  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more e...

Cougar, Panther, Mountain Lion, Catamount, Red Tiger...it goes by a lot of names! But this week, we're just calling it the puma. Join us as we talk about this amazing cat and it's incredible life.  References:  Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, "Cougar Life Cycles". Mountainlion.org, "Evidence of a Lion's Presence", published 01/01/2010 Select Latin America. UK, &quo...

Wonder why kids and college students get a week-off of school around March and April each year? This week we research the answer!  #hellofromthevan #familyfriendlypodcast #familypodcast #education #homeschool #homeschoollesson  Citations/Works Cited  de Ridder-Symoens, Hilde: A History of the University in Europe: Volume 1, Universities in the Middle Ages, Cambridge University Press, 1992, ISBN 0-...

Is it a bee or a wasp? A hornet or a yellow jacket? Today we learn about the differences between all four, as well as which one is most likely to sting you. We finish the episode with family-friendly tips on how to support native pollinators.  For our visual podcast (same audio, with images that explain what you're hearing) check-out our youtube channel at Hello From the Van.  works https://w...

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? We don't know! But we do know a lot of other chicken facts! In this episode we're talking all about the modern chicken, how eggs get to grocery stores, and lots of other fun chicken fact. We round out the episode with some super fun chicken jokes.  Looking for a visual podcast? We're on Youtube! Same podcast but with fun visuals to illustrat...

Disclaimer: No actual bad words are used in this episode. We're family-friendly around here.  In this episode we discuss the history of foul language and how cultures change language through time. Parents, this is a great jumping off point for discussions of what is appropriate in your home and why.  Looking for more?? We have a visual podcast over on Youtube under Hello From the Van!  Stuck...

This week we tackle the philosophical question, "What makes a plant a weed??" It's a lesson in personal preference, lost knowledge, and ecology. Prefer a visual podcast? Each episode is also available on Youtube at Hello From the Van! SOURCE CITATIONS:  Escape of the invasives: Top six invasive plant species in the United States April 19, 2013 by Emily Grebenstein, https://www.si.ed...

Disasters, let's talk about them! This week we discuss the difference between different types of natural and environmental disasters and how to prepare for the worst. As always, this is done in a family-friendly and educational way.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com 

We've recently been plagued by the flu at the Faatz household, which has led to a lot of questions about emesis (vomit). In this episode we delicately talk around the subject, which animals can do it and which cannot, and why. For the queasy among us, please note that we do our best to handle this topic in the most sterile way possible.   Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educa...

I recently found myself on a fieldtrip without internet access...and realized I know next to nothing when it comes to butterflies and moths. Come with me as I learn more about these winged insects, their similarities, and their differences.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com...

It's the beginning of the Winter Olympics and we're feeling nostalgic over here at Hello From the Van. Join us this week for a brief history of the winter olympic games, followed by a ridiculous story time of my own skiing catastrophe.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVa...

In today's episode we explore the history of the Lego Group, legos, and the language surrounding them.  Note: lego vs legos is a very contentious topic apparently. If you find yourself raging about the conclusions discussed here, we gently remind you that this is a fun podcast intended for children. It's not that deep fam. -Mimi Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educationa...

Truth, Fact, Hoax, or Conspiracy? Today we talk about the definition of all four words, give examples of each, and discuss when to use them.  Parents-- worried we're talking about conspiracies? As always, we approach each topic from a politically neutral standpoint and provide you a jumping off point-- letting you take the discussion from there.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for mo...

Have you ever wondered how scientists go about gathering information? It's the Scientific Method and has been around for over 3,000 years! Today we talk about what it is, why it's important, and practice putting it into action with a fun game of Guess That Sound.  Want more exposure to the scientific method? Go to today's BONUS EPISODE where we play several more rounds of Guess That...

In this Bonus Episode we play five rounds of Guess That Sound to help put the theory of the Scientific Method into practice! This is fun for the whole family. Be prepared to complete all 5 steps of the scientific method together.  THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD: Question -- Guess (Hypothesis) -- Act (Experiment & Write) -- Analyze -- Report Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational r...

Have you noticed that a lot of cars seem void of any real color these days? Same. Today we research why 4 of every 5 cars will statistically be white, grey, or black, as well as the history of the modern automobile. This is a great episode for detail oriented, car obsessed kids!  Parents, are you looking for study aid for your kids? We've started adding 30 minute meditation and "study bu...

Have you ever watched a sappy Christmas movie and wondered why they sing Auld Lang Syne? Yeah,  me too! In this episode we explore the rich history of this Scottish hit.  We'll listen to and discuss clips of two wonderful versions, I've linked them both below and encourage you to check them out! Both are worth the full listen.  The Hound and the Fox (Modern English)  https://www.youtube....

We're almost through the 12 Days of Christmas, so it's about time we explore it's history. From a memory game to a cultural earworm, we discuss the rich and storied past of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Only 2 more episodes 'til Christmas! Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan H...

We're almost to Christmas and answering YOUR questions. "How did Santa Clause become Santa Clause?", "What's figgy pudding?", and more! A huge shoutout to all of the parents who sent in their kids' questions for today's episode.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFr...

We made it! Day 12 of the Twelve Days of Christmas. In honor of the season, we read Luke 2, Matthew 2, and a portion of John.  A huge thank-you to all of our listeners who participated in this amazing tradition through our podcast and all other avenues. Especially to you Yoto Families out there, who used the yoto link so much it got our account temporarily suspended for "excessive sharing&quo...

With the craziness of the holiday season, it can be hard to feel grateful sometimes. For Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas, we practice an exercise in gratitude together.  This is a centering activity from Michael Vallejo, LCSW, from Mental Health Center Kids.  It's a great one for kids and parents to do together. Appropriate for all ages.  Questions from the Exercise: 1- Name a Person you ar...

It's a short one today, but don't get you're tinsel in a tangle! We're talking about Christmas idioms. Our family style quiz game is back, as we guess the meaning of fun holiday phrases.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com 

It's a literary classic for Day 9 of the 12 days of Christmas, as we read The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. This is a holiday story of love and sacrifice in hard times, sure to bring a bit of the holiday season to your home.  Parents if you're looking for a movie, the 1978 Marie Osmond version is available on Youtube under the title "The Gift of Love".  Stuck in your van too? G...

Join us for Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas, as we read The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Anderson.  This is a classic story about longing and learning to grow where you're planted. In the words of Andy Bernard, "I wish there were a way to tell you are in the good old days before you've left them..."  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtu...

It's Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas and we're exploring the big questions...like why do we hear the same Christmas songs over and over and over all season long? Basically, it has to do with royalties, public domain, and nostalgia. There is even an interactive "quiz" portion of this episode, so be prepared to play along.  This is a fun episode for kids and parents alike!  Stu...