Parents tell all: How kids start listening to podcasts
Podcasts are a great source of screen-free entertainment for anyone at any age, but many still don’t know when and how podcasts can fit into their day. This can be especially tricky for parents trying to engage their children through extended periods at home.
We asked a few parents that work at PRX, the company that brings you TRAX, about how their children were introduced to podcasts and built listening into a habit.
Here’s a big hint: when’s your next road trip?
How were your children first introduced to podcasts?
Brandon, father of three ages 8, 6, and 3: For my children, they were introduced to their first podcast as we were in a car. Likely a road trip to visit out of state family.
Hannah, mother of a 9-year-old: In the car for us. But now [she listens] in her room while she’s home from school.
Kerry, mother of two ages 12 and 15: Definitely listening in the car as a family for both of my kids!
What podcasts do your children listen to? What do they enjoy about those shows?
Edwin, father of a 3-year-old: “Noodle Loaf” — episodes move from segment to segment quickly, the music, and that it is seemingly led/hosted by kids.
“Molly of Denali” — great story, sounds like a tv show.
Brandon: The 8-year-old likes: “Wow in the World,” “Good Night stories for Rebel Girls,” “Eleanor Amplified,” “Smash Boom Best,” and she adored the Ben Franklin Gen-Z pod.
My 6-year-old adores “Molly of Denali” and “Wow in the World.” Mostly listens when it’s played in the car or when her sister does.
My 3-year-old is along for the ride. I remember one time in the car enjoying “Eleanor Amplified” and he'll sometimes repeat phrases he hears.
Ooh, I'm reminded, we listened to the wolf episode of “This is Love” in the car once and all my kids were hooked.
Hannah: “Eleanor Amplified” — fun female character, different voices, expressive, adventurous.
“The Creeping Hour” — scary but not too scary, more mature for a child who thinks she is a tween.
How did listening to podcasts become a habit for your children?
Hannah: Car rides! Long ones. But we listened more when we were homeschooling because we had more time to do things like that.
Gina’s daughter Raisa enjoying her favorite podcast
Edwin: Car rides when we knew he wouldn't nap. We were already listening to books on tape through the library app Libby. A podcast is sorta like a book on tape.
Gina, mother of 2 ages 6 and 9: They got hooked through “Story Pirates,” moved on to “Eleanor Amplified” and then they aged out of them and moved onto other content.
What do your children do while they listen?
Hannah: Sometimes homework, sometimes read, sometimes play on her iPad, or just listen.
Edwin: Mostly sit[ting] in their car seat or with me on the couch. They do not listen on their own with their own headphones.
For context, Rafi is three, started listening to podcasts with us about two months ago.
Gina: They listen while cooking, eating, drawing, and at bedtime after they read a book they listen to go to sleep.
Kerry: [My 12-year-old has] been binging so she listens while she plays games on her phone or doing “mindless tasks” like making a sandwich or “just hanging out.”