Big and Little Podcast
A podcast about families and children, created for the grownups in their lives. Big & Little explores relevant topics ranging from play, learning, creativity, resilience, and health through interviews with people from varied professions and who have different perspectives and experiences.
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Captivating Creations with Bernie Zubrowski
08/23/2024
Captivating Creations with Bernie Zubrowski
has dedicated his career to science education, both in and outside of the classroom. He has contributed to science curricula at the Education Development Center and designed numerous children's science books, exhibits, traveling exhibits during his time at Boston’s Children’s Museum, including Bubbles and Raceways. Beyond science education, Bernie has spent the last 25 years designing and exhibiting kinetic sculptures, continuing to inspire creativity and scientific exploration. In this next Creativity Series episode, Museum President and CEO Carole Charnow interviews Bernie about developing hands-on exhibits, kinetic sculptures, and art and science curriculum for children. Learn more about Bernie’s work on his website: , his art website: , , or on his .
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Music as Expression, Exploration, and Celebration
06/05/2024
Music as Expression, Exploration, and Celebration
In this fifth installment of our Creativity Series, Carole Charnow, the Museum’s President and CEO interviews Ashleigh Gordon the co-founder, Artistic Director, and violist of Castle of our Skins, a Boston-based concert and educational series devoted to celebrating Black Artistry through music. Carole and Ashleigh discuss the intersections between music, education, and creative expression, the inspiration behind founding Castle of our Skins, and how to encourage musical exposure and exploration for children. Learn more about Castle of our Skins at:
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Lifelong Kindergarten, Lifelong Creativity
02/21/2024
Lifelong Kindergarten, Lifelong Creativity
Today on the show, Boston Children’s Museum President and CEO Carole Charnow interviews in the next installment of our Creativity Series. Mitch Resnick is the LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab and develops new technologies and activities to engage people (particularly children) in creative learning experiences. His Lifelong Kindergarten research group developed the Scratch programming software and online community, used by millions of young people around the world. Carole talks with Mitch about his new project , the value of Kindergarten style learning, the 4 P’s of Creative Learning, the relationship between technology and creative learning and more.
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Creativity through collaboration
02/01/2024
Creativity through collaboration
The Museum’s Creativity Series continues with a conversation on the importance of connection, collaboration, and community. Through a grant from LEGO, called the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network, institutions across the country were tasked with creating a community of practice that focused on playful learning Joining us today are three representatives from LEGO’s community of practice who connected over a shared interest in Tinkering Inventive Playsets, Nick Villagra from the , Michael Wong from the , and Brendan Takenaga from . Tune in to learn about how a community of practice operates, where creativity exists in our work, the power of inspiration, half-baked ideas, open communication between peers, and more! Learn more about this partnership on the . Or connect with our guests by emailing Nick at , Michael at , or Brendan at .
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A creative platform for the children, by the children, of the children
11/07/2023
A creative platform for the children, by the children, of the children
The Children's Art Museum of India, or CAMI for short, is an online platform and virtual Museum space that enables young artists to submit their art and share their creativity worldwide. Manya and Krish founded CAMI in 2022 when they were 14 and 12 years old, respectively. Since then, the two have been working tirelessly to create and expand CAMI’s reach and continue to carve out this important space for children’s creativity. What began as a local initiative for Indian children to share their art has since grown into an increasingly global movement. Today on the show, Carole Charnow, the Museum’s President and CEO, talks with Manya and Krish about founding CAMI, the unique benefits of an online Museum space, and how to engage and inspire kids to be creative through art. Learn more about CAMI at:
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Cultivating the Components of Creativity
08/29/2023
Cultivating the Components of Creativity
We’re bringing some creative exploration to the podcast with a special Creativity Series! Our first guest, Laura Petrovich-Cheney, is an artist, maker, educator, and the Museum’s current Gallery artist. Her exhibit, Weathered Shapes, Wooden Quilts brings together the traditional crafts of wood sculpture and quilt making to show the potential of rebuilding and hope. In today’s episode the Museum’s President and CEO Carole Charnow talks with Laura about the inspiration behind her art, the key components of creativity, and advice for parents, caregivers, and educators! Learn more about Laura on her website:
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Bringing light to the world through stories
07/28/2023
Bringing light to the world through stories
In today's episode, Boston Children’s Museum’s Vice President of External Relations, Charlayne Murrell-Smith talks with Research Scientist, Technologist, Filmmaker, Architect, and Educator, Topper Carew. Topper recounts his experience growing up in Roxbury, starting out as an architect and filmmaker, and his advice for crafting compelling stories. Listeners may be familiar with Topper from his popular TV sitcom Martin, but it might surprise you to learn of his rich and varied experiences beyond the film industry. Later in the episode, we also discuss his upcoming project, This Little Light of Mine - in space. This project consists of a Space Payload designed to transport and broadcast a film of children’s choirs around the world singing “This Little Light of Mine.” We could all use a little more light in our lives - so, why not extend that brightness to the night sky and beyond?
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Designing for Play
06/23/2023
Designing for Play
How do we design for play? For two decades Cas Holman has been designing playthings and playspaces that encourage exploration, imagination, and collaboration. Through her company Heroes Will Rise, Cas creates intuitive toys that inspire creative, open-ended play, including the award-winning , a line of playful building kits used in schools and public spaces worldwide - and our very own Boston Children's Museum. An educator of 13 years and former Associate Professor of Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Cas travels the globe to collaborate with thought and industry leaders in early education, curriculum design, public space, and childhood advocacy. Her philosophy and approach to designing for play was recently featured in the award-winning documentary series “Abstract: The Art of Design” on Netflix. In today’s episode our host, Neil Tembulkar, the Museum’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Cas discuss how we design for play and empower kids to be creative problem solvers. Learn more about Cas on her website:
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Lifting Our Communities UpTogether
03/31/2023
Lifting Our Communities UpTogether
What happens when we're given the resources and freedom to choose where our money goes? Tune in to find out. In this episode, the Museum's President and CEO Carole Charnow talks with Jesús Gerena, the CEO of , about the importance of investing and putting trust in the people we serve. UpTogether is a national organization on a mission to change policies, systems, and underlying beliefs so that all people in the United States are seen and supported. Leaning into our community, social networks, and relationships can make more of a difference than we might think. By investing in people from historically undervalued communities, UpTogether helps reinforce autonomy and drive economic and social mobility for individuals and families. Interested in learning more? Check out UpTogether's Podcast, , or visit the UpTogether Website at:
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Meet Sama
11/21/2022
Meet Sama
Although we are a children's museum, we don’t often hear directly from our youth. In this episode we’re changing it up and welcoming our very first “little” to the Big and Little podcast. Now, don’t let that word deceive you, today’s guest has a powerful voice and some keen insights on what it’s like to be a kid in this day and age. Meet Sama Prince, the goddaughter of Boston Children's Museum's President and CEO Carole Charnow. She joins us all the way from London, England. Hear about Sama's school, favorite pastimes, and candid reflections on navigating life during the pandemic.
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How to Help Our Kids "Grow Up Great"
10/14/2022
How to Help Our Kids "Grow Up Great"
Reaching children in their earliest years not only helps them develop the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills they need to succeed, but can also inspire lifelong enthusiasm for learning. On today’s podcast, Boston Children’s Museum President and CEO Carole Charnow sits down with Dr. Jeanette Betancourt from Sesame Workshop and Sally McCrady from PNC Bank to learn more about their partnership - Grow Up Great, an initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. To access educational resources and learn more about Grow Up Great check out:
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Celebrating STEAM in the Museum Space and Beyond
10/11/2022
Celebrating STEAM in the Museum Space and Beyond
Ahead of the CreatedBy Festival on October 15th, 2022, Digital Content Manager and Podcast Producer, Kathryn York, interviews Boston Children's Museum's Director of Strategic Initiatives, Neil Tembulkar about CreatedBy, the prevalence of STEAM in the museum space, and how to get kids inspired by STEAM. To learn more about the CreatedBy Festival and free Virtual Workshops, Demos, and STEAM Fun, check out https://createdbyfestival.org/
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Imaginative Play is the Antidote: How to foster children's creativity, sense of agency, and emotional processing through play
08/26/2022
Imaginative Play is the Antidote: How to foster children's creativity, sense of agency, and emotional processing through play
When was the last time you let your imagination take the wheel? As kids, our imagination created endless possibilities. An old blanket was a superhero cape. Pots and pans? A full on drum set! Imagination has the power to make the “ordinary” novel and exciting. In the wake of an increasingly digital age, however, many wonder, does imaginative play still hold the same space in children’s lives? Hear from Dr. Laura Rubin, founder of Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center, about how imaginative play helps children process emotional experiences, build executive function skills, foster creativity, and more. She also shares how parents, caregivers, and educators can support their child's imaginative instincts. For more on imaginative play and children’s mental health, check out the following resources: Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center: The Child Mind Institute: How Re-Framing Our Experiences Can Contribute to Our Well-Being by Dr. Laura Rubin, TEDxPortsmouth: Make-Believe: Games & Activities for Imaginative Play By Dorothy G. Singer and Jerome L. Singer:
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How to Raise Girls Excited About STEM
04/26/2022
How to Raise Girls Excited About STEM
Join tech trailblazer Madge Meyer as she talks with Carole about her journey to success as a woman and Asian American immigrant in the STEM fields and shares strategies for raising young girls excited about and engaged with STEM.
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The Importance of Art in Early Childhood Education
03/21/2022
The Importance of Art in Early Childhood Education
Art in early childhood helps children thrive and develop into well-rounded, socially-conscious individuals. Sadly, thousands of students across the United States do not have access to arts education. As the founder of ARCK, the Arts Resource Collaborative for Kids, Sara Mraish-Demeter has made it her mission to give children a voice through the arts. She has helped thousands of under-resourced students gain access to arts education throughout the last ten years. Hear from Sara about the importance of closing the creativity gap in schools through equitable arts education and the power art can have on our children’s healthy social and emotional development.
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Inspiring Kids to Identify as Readers
02/23/2022
Inspiring Kids to Identify as Readers
Three simple words can have a profound effect on a child's life— "I’m a reader.”
Unfortunately for too many children in the US, numerous challenges and barriers have made these words infrequent.
In the latest episode of the Big & Little Podcast, former kindergarten teacher, founder of Barbershop Books, comedian, and expert in early literacy Alvin Irby speaks about empowering kids, especially young Black boys and other vulnerable children, to identify as readers and grow to enjoy learning.
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Helping Kids to Say "I'm a Reader"
02/23/2022
Helping Kids to Say "I'm a Reader"
Three simple words can have a profound effect on a child's life— "I’m a reader.”
Unfortunately for too many children in the US, numerous challenges and barriers have made these words infrequent.
In the latest episode of the Big & Little Podcast, former kindergarten teacher, founder of Barbershop Books, comedian, and expert in early literacy Alvin Irby speaks about empowering kids, especially young Black boys and other vulnerable children, to identify as readers and grow to enjoy learning.
/episode/index/show/bigandlittlepodcast/id/22231460
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Helping Kids to Say "I'm a Reader"
02/23/2022
Helping Kids to Say "I'm a Reader"
Three simple words can have a profound effect on a child's life— "I’m a reader.”
Unfortunately for too many children in the US, numerous challenges and barriers have made these words infrequent.
In the latest episode of the Big & Little Podcast, former kindergarten teacher, founder of Barbershop Books, comedian, and expert in early literacy Alvin Irby speaks about empowering kids, especially young Black boys and other vulnerable children, to identify as readers and grow to enjoy learning.
/episode/index/show/bigandlittlepodcast/id/22231457
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It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Wonderful: Strategies for a Low-Stress, Low-Cost Holiday Season Your Kids will Remember
12/13/2021
It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Wonderful: Strategies for a Low-Stress, Low-Cost Holiday Season Your Kids will Remember
No matter what special occasion or tradition you celebrate this time of year, along with the cheer can come large amounts of stress for parents and caregivers juggling a million things while trying to give their kids a magical season. We wanted to help identify ways to take the stress out of the season with simple, low to no-cost strategies. Here to help is Meghan Block, the owner of Boston Moms and a mother of three with an excellent perspective on the challenges that parents face in today’s world.
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Innovation in Education: A Focus on Community, Identity, and Social Justice at Codman Academy
11/19/2021
Innovation in Education: A Focus on Community, Identity, and Social Justice at Codman Academy
Listen in on a conversation with Codman Academy Head of School Thabiti Brown and third grade teacher and equity coordinator Marcus Parker about Codman’s thoughtful education strategies—teaching for social justice, prioritizing student questioning and the exploration of identity, making connections between learning and the world outside the classroom, and engaging teachers and parents in conversations around equity and inclusion.
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Children's Food Allergies: How prevalent are they and what can we do to help?
08/26/2021
Children's Food Allergies: How prevalent are they and what can we do to help?
Join Carole and guests Drs. Michael Pistiner and Ali Yurkovich for an important conversation on food allergies in children. As allergy experts and parents of children with food allergies themselves, Michael and Ali speak to the prevalence of allergies in children, their own experiences as parents of kids with allergies, and how people can get involved in advocacy efforts to protect those with food allergies in public spaces.
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Innovation in Education: Bethann Jellison and the Carlton Innovation Schools' Cohort Model
05/17/2021
Innovation in Education: Bethann Jellison and the Carlton Innovation Schools' Cohort Model
Innovation in Education is a new 3-part series that dives into three schools innovating the traditional schooling model using non-traditional curriculums, strategies, and values.
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Our youngest kids need advocates
10/07/2020
Our youngest kids need advocates
Carole chats with Amy O'Leary, the director of Strategies for Children's "Early Education for All" campaign, about the importance of advocating for our youngest learners at the policy level, in the classroom, and within individual families. Listen to learn more about her years of early education advocacy work and to learn what you can be doing to support the kids in your community.
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Smart from the Start Director Cherie Craft on supporting families in need during a high-stress time
08/24/2020
Smart from the Start Director Cherie Craft on supporting families in need during a high-stress time
Carole chats with Cherie Craft, CEO of family support and community engagement organization Smart from the Start, about strategies for effectively supporting families in times of need, especially as it relates to the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic and an unsettled political climate.
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Racism and coronavirus add stress to already vulnerable communities
06/11/2020
Racism and coronavirus add stress to already vulnerable communities
In this episode, Carole talks with Manny Lopes, the CEO of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and a leader in community health care, about the ways in which Boston’s vulnerable communities are coping during this challenging time and how today’s uncertainty offers room for positive change to come.
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Dr. Nancy Rappaport discusses strategies for parenting during the pandemic
05/28/2020
Dr. Nancy Rappaport discusses strategies for parenting during the pandemic
In today's episode, Carole chats with psychologist Dr. Nancy Rappaport about strategies for parents and caregivers who are struggling in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Rappaport, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard University Medical School, sheds light on some of the positive effects families can take away from this historic time.
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Pediatrician Dr. Michael Yogman discusses the coronavirus pandemic's effect on kids
05/06/2020
Pediatrician Dr. Michael Yogman discusses the coronavirus pandemic's effect on kids
What kind of effects is the Coronavirus pandemic having on our kids? What coping strategies can parents implement at home to help make things easier and promote the mental and physical health of all family members? We're answering those questions and more today in the first episode of Big & little, featuring Boston Children's Museum CEO and President Carole Charnow and Dr. Michael Yogman, a practicing pediatrician in Cambridge, MA.
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Big & Little Podcast
05/06/2020
Big & Little Podcast
A podcast for adults, about families, kids, and our world. Big & Little explores relevant topics ranging from play, learning, creativity, resilience, and health through interviews with people from varied professions and who have different perspectives and experiences.
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