Listening to Podcasts Together Helps Children Learn

Whether we’re in the car or at home making dinner, listening to podcasts with my kids has become a treasured way to spend time together. From diving into storytelling podcasts that tickle our imaginations to opting for educational episodes that open new worlds, we’ve found a little something for everyone in our search for family-friendly podcasts.

It’s easy to feel bombarded by screens. Between virtual meetings and remote learning, screen fatigue is real. Streaming podcasts has become a fun media alternative that brings us together — no screens required.

Instead of family movie night, we’ve recently been hosting family podcast nights. After a long week of being in front of screens for work or school, we build blocks or LEGOs, color with markers and coloring books, or put together a puzzle while listening to a couple of episodes of our favorite kid-friendly podcasts.

I’ve considered myself a podcast connoisseur for a few years, but I’ve recently been pleasantly surprised to see the growing number of engaging, age-appropriate listening options across genres now available for families, too. (And my kids aren’t the only ones who are listening — one in four kids now listen to podcasts, according to research.)

This fall, my family is looking forward to tuning into some of our favorite PBS KIDS series in podcast form. Season two of the popular Molly of Denali podcast kicked off in September. We’re excited to follow along with a new serial-style season following Molly’s dog sledding adventures, and I know my kids will be eager to answer the listening questions included in each episode.

One of the highlights of co-listening to podcasts alongside my kid? The interesting conversations they spark! I’m surprised by how much young children (as young as four in my family) absorb, even when they’re being squirrely and seem like they’re not listening!

In a recent Kids Listen study, nearly 75 percent of families surveyed said that after listening, kids start discussions related to the podcast they just heard. Children also commonly quote or re-enact part of the episode, tell others about what they learned from the podcast, ask to listen to the episode again, and request more information about what they learned.

PBS KIDS is also launching an interactive Pinkalicious & Peteriffic podcast (think radio talk show with characters exploring scenarios and songs from the TV series!) and Odd Squad: Odd Squadcast podcast (my 10-year-old can’t stop talking about how much he’s looking forward to this one!).

Here are just a few of the great benefits of listening to podcasts together as a family:

• Podcasts are entertaining! From podcasts that read books at bedtime to shows that explore science and technology, the Kids & Family category on my phone’s podcast app is jam-packed with fun listening options. Research shows that parents who listen to podcasts with their kids say it’s a fun activity for the whole fam.
• Listening encourages conversation. My kids often have questions after listening to a podcast, giving us a chance to look things up (What does lava look like when a volcano erupts?) and continue learning together long after the episode is over.
• Storytelling podcasts foster imagination. Fiction podcasts are a growing genre — and for good reason. Shows like Stories Podcast by Wondery are perfect for bedtime, and Story Pirates by Gimlet always seem to capture our imaginations (for grownups and kids!).
• Podcasts keep us curious. Some of our favorite podcasts, like NPR’s Wow in the World, invite curious kids and grownups to explore the world with entertaining hosts, and engaging characters. We’ve recently learned about dinosaurs, explored space, and learned about solar energy.
• We can listen anywhere. No special equipment required! Simply listen along with the free podcast player at pbskids.org, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. (Most phones or tablets have a native podcast app already downloaded — just search for what you want!)

With four kids, our family boasts a wide variety of personalities and preferences. As kid-friendly podcasts across genres continue to grow, listening together has become a go-to educational and entertainment pastime that provides a little something for everyone.