Civics Archives - The Children's Hour

This time on The Children’s Hour, our summer interns Julia Wolfe and Sophie Anderson-Haynie have co-written and produced a program about Banned Books. They teach us what that means, the history of banning books, and how it’s even possible in the era of digital reading, and with the First Amendment right to free speech. This episode comes with a new learning guide.

How does money work? In this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew explores earning, saving, budgeting, borrowing, and investing. With guidance from KidVestors co-founder Courtney Petway and New Mexico State Treasurer Laura Montoya, listeners gain practical skills for making thoughtful financial decisions.

Firefighters are helpers who rush toward danger when others need help. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew visits AFR Fire Station Number Three in Albuquerque, New Mexico to learn how firefighters protect people, animals, and neighborhoods every day.

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...

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 begi...

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...

What is justice, and why is it important? In this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew explores what justice means and how the courts help make sure laws are fair for everyone. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/justice Our first guest, Maria Martinez-Sanchez, is a lawyer from ACLU New Mexico. She teaches us about the three branches of government and how they work tog...

We explore Black History through stories from Dr. Marsha Hardeman, Professor of Africana Studies at the University of New Mexico.

In this episode of The Children’s Hour, we dive deep into how elections work in the United States, and especially focus on the big one: the Presidential election! With a Presidential election coming up, we wanted to make sure everyone understands how voting really works and what makes it so important. Find the full episode page at https://childrenshour.org/presidential-elections We had the honor o...

Jimmy Carter: Celebrating a Century of Service and Compassion In this special episode of The Children’s Hour, we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, just in time for his 100th birthday on October 2, 2024. Join us as we explore his journey from a peanut farmer in Georgia to becoming the 39th President of the United States, and beyond, with insights into his lifelong dedicat...

Running is more than just a pass time. It's more than just a form of exercise. For runners, running brings a deeper sense of calm and peace. This time on The Children's Hour we meet with multiple runners whose running influences their physical, spiritual, and social lives, including a blind Olympic champion runner George Mendoza, kids and others from the indigenous club Running Medicine, and Rep....

On this episode of The Children's Hour, we learn all about the Post Office from the American Postal Workers Union Local 380 President, Ken Fajardo, who has worked at the United States Postal Service for over 30 years. We explore stamp collecting, and find out how the postal service makes a big difference in elections. Plus, puzzlemaker Riya Joshi challenges the Kids Crew to a puzzle. Find the full...

This week on The Children’s Hour, where does our tap water come from, and where does it end up when we flush or wash it down the drain? Our water system is circular, from the Rio Grande and back again. In the meantime, it goes through pipes to homes, and down the drains when it's dirty. How do they clean it for drinking, and then clean it again after it's gross? And what role do tardigrades play?...

It's Earth Day on The Children's Hour, and we meet Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM) who explains how National Parks and National Wilderness areas are created. Kids can play a big part! Then, Evan tells us about the Junior Ranger program. Biologists and authors Lily and Barbara Kingsolver share about their new book, Coyote's Wild Home. Learn with us!

Because kids are seeing guns in so many places, The Children's Hour has tips on gun safety that hunting families have taught their kids for generations. We learn from kids who are hunters themselves on what hunting means to them, and we explore gun laws in the US and the world. Gun violence prevention begins with a conversation at home. Join us for this lifesaving episode of The Children's Hour.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we learn from two people who have dedicated their lives to being leaders in their communities. First, the kids chat with Pierce Freelon, who is a multi-Emmy winning TV and movie producer, Grammy winning children’s musician, educator, and city councilor in the city of Durham, North Carolina. Pierce talks about how he came to wear all these hats, and explains to us...

This time on The Children’s Hour, in honor of Veteran’s Day on November 11, we re-visit the Museum of the American Military Family in Tijeras, New Mexico.

The kids crew talk with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham about what her job entails, how to lead during a pandemic, and how governors can help solve the climate crisis. We also hear from 10 year old Lily with a message for adults about the planet kids will inherit.

Learn all about the United States Senate on this edition of The Children's Hour. We'll visit with New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich in an interview he says is "a lot harder than I get from CNN." The Kids Crew learn about his job, how he knows what his constituents want, and what he's doing about the climate crisis. Then, Zen and Amadeus sit down with their Aunt Elsa, a staffer on Senator Heinrich...

This week on The Children's Hour meet kids who are standing up to demand adults take action on the issues that directly impact their lives. We’ll be joined by Our Children's Trust attorney Nate Bellinger, and the crew talks with Mica Kantor, a 12 year old plaintiff in a case against the Montana government over the state's inaction on climate change.

This time on The Children's Hour, we take a dive into the very basics of Civics education with lifelong educator and community leader Arthur Lieber. We explore how kids can help bring our country together, and build a brighter future. Then we hear from our friends at the Extinction Diaries about marine plankton, a tiny ocean critter upon whom life on Earth depends. Mixed with excellent music. Lear...

In the final episode of our series on the Bill of Rights, The Children's Hour focuses on the 8th, 9th and 10th Amendments. We learn with Micah McCoy from the ACLU New Mexico the meaning behind these amendments, and how we change our Constitution. Plus the kids in the Extinction Diaries cover what's going on with the coral reefs around the world. Mixed with great music and conversation, join us eve...

We continue our series on the Bill of Rights this week on The Children's Hour with an episode about the 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Amendments with Micah McCoy from the ACLU New Mexico. Learn if we really have a right to privacy, and what rights we have if we are charged with a crime. Plus the kids from the Extinction Diaries tell us about the effects of extinction on humans. We mix it all with great musi...

We continue our exploration of the Bill of Rights this week on The Children's Hour with a show about the 2nd and 3rd Amendments with Micah McCoy from the ACLU-NM. We learn many ways the 2nd Amendment is interpreted, and why it's so contentious. Then we discover the reason soldiers can't just move into our houses. Plus we hear from the kids in the Extinction Diaries about the Sixth Great Extinction...

This time on The Children’s Hour, we start a four part series on the Bill of Rights with Micah McCoy from the ACLU New Mexico. Plus, 4th graders in Mrs. Rincón’s classroom at Adobe Acres Elementary in Albuquerque tell us what makes a good leader. And, we explore Pangolins with our friends from the Extinction Diaries.