Presenting Children's Radio

They must have an idea why they've chosen Tarah, isn't it? :wink:

Well, those pürograms I did were targeted at older children/youth and more theme related every time.


What I think is that starting with some fairy tale and developping from that some topics could be an idea ...

(And having actually some chidren with you when recording, as co-moderators.)

Drop into the Children's Section at your local library and pick the brains of the librarians.

I bet they would love to help--and a Public Service Plug for the Local Library would be good for both the library and for your listening audience.

I like both the library and school ideas.

Also watch some children's television -- Sesame Street, Backyardigans, Naked Brothers Band, whatever. Check the demographics (I think those are 5-8, with Sesame Street being more 5 and Naked Brothers being more 8).

Storytelling seems an obvious fit. Either reading from a book that fits the theme, or re-telling on your own a story you know (classic folktales, whatever).

Maybe find some old Reading Rainbow videos/ DVDs, too.

Probably a lot of music.

Humor.

Wow this is hard! Interested in what you'd come up with.

OK, my own private focus group (sozlet, age 6.5) says:

Music. (She recommends the album "My Mama was a Train." Why that one? I dunno, but she recommends it.)

Stories, like pirate stories...

OK, I won't try to summarize, but what we came up with is to have a theme of pirates for example (a bit more specific than the kind of themes you suggested). Then have pirate songs, pirate stories, and pirate FACTS, all mixed up together. Plus some sing-along type songs, not just real-music-type songs, like "yo ho ho and a bottle of rum," that sort of thing. Do the pauses like Dora the Explorer and Blue's Clues, get kids involved.

Is it a solid hour, or with commercial breaks?

I think, it all depends how often (once per week? daily?) the programs runs, and how long "several weeks" is.

Generally, I think and according to experiences friend's had with their programs, it's the best to have an "umbrella idea" and then have sub-themes.


Your station doesn't have a mobile recording unit but certainly tape recorders, I suppose. That should give plenty of more ideas.

The Museum of London has a lot of programs for children. Perhaps you could invite one of their teams?

News for children (local/regional) might not be THE attraction for children - at least at the start.
But I'm sure that this will give you a lot of media reports ...

Also, is there any goal for the program? Like, just entertainment, or does it need to have an educational component?

Just a few ideas, off the top of my head ....

I like Soz's idea of reading a story ... dramatically!

How about interviewing someone the local kids would be interested in? Some local "celebrity" perhaps?

Some music breaks. (Thinking: what sort of music would kids this age like?)

A pet section? Perhaps a local vet/trainer talking to kids about how to look after their pets. Any chance of a bit of "talkback Q & A with kids ringing in with their questions?

Maybe a film review, or a book review, a television program review? ... gives you a chance to share the work with studio guests & have conversations, rather than the pressure of you talking for a whole hour. That's a long time for one person.

All of these could be based on your chosen theme, of course. But it sure helps to have helpers & other folk sharing the mic with you!

Anyway, I'd basically break up the time with different activities, even if you're not too excited by the ones I've suggested. Kids love variety.