Coming up on The Children's Hour, we imagine a world where kindness is a habit. The kids' crew are exploring kindness as a practice, a science, and a feeling. Our special guest on the show today is Lindsay Monroe. She's a singer, songwriter, and a mom of kids with autism who specializes in music to build caring communities of children. This episode comes with a learning guide that has many ways that we can encourage the kindness in the communities
around us. You can find it at ChildrensHour.org. Look for kindness. We've got excellent music mixed into this show and we're so glad you're with us. The Children's Hour is an independent production of The Children's Hour Incorporated, a New Mexico based non-profit. We're distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American radio network. It's time for The Children's Hour, Kids Public Radio. What did the stamp say about the envelope? I don't know what! Stick with
me and we'll go places together. Ha, ha ha! It's time for The Children's Hour, Kids Public Radio. in this world. We all need more kindness in this world. You may look high and low, but there's no place else to go. in this world We all need more hugging in this world. You may look high and low, but there's no place else to go. Wow You may look high and low, but there's no place else to go oh. Shining sunshine in this world you may look high and low but there's no place else to go sunshine
in this world more peacetime. We all need more peace times in this world You may look high and low but there's no place else to go. We all need more peace times in this world. We all need more friendship in this world. Yes we need more friendship in this world. You may look high and low but there's no place else to go. Friendship in this world. Guy Davis from a Putumayo collection called American Playground. You're listening to The
Children's Hour. I'm Katie Stone. I'm always so happy to be with all of you out in listener land and everyone here on Zoom. Hello, everyone on Zoom. Hi. Hello! And who do we have with us today? Hi, it's Isaac. Hi, it's Lucas. Hi, it's Thaniel. Hi, it's Illuminata. Hello, it's Amadeus. Hi, it's Sonia. Hi, it's Ethan. Hi, it's Beth. Hi, it's Evan. Hi, it's Melissa. Well, thank
you all so much for being here. Crew, I'm really curious. Today's show is about kindness and I asked you to come today and bring examples in your own life where someone was just kind to you. And if you could, tell us what that experience was and maybe a little of how you felt around that experience. Amadeus. I would say I have something to share. Something that I find is a nice everyday kindness is being woken up softly by my parents and not super
abrupt. It's always nice to have a slow rise because I don't think anybody is jumping out of bed in five seconds. So I'll always appreciate the soft waking up rather than the fast one. So I thank my parents for that and the kindness they share. That is kind. Cause you know, they could just come in and be like, wake up. I do have an example, but first of all, I have a comment about that. I don't get woken up. I wake up by myself
and I basically wake up my parents because I get up at four. Ooh, ah, that's really early, Evan. Let's hear your example of a kindness. Just today, my best friend Liam was, basically we have this music program at our school and he offered to carry my cello if I carried his viola. And if you didn't know cellos are much heavier than violas. Wow. Yeah, that was really kind of him to do that. Well, you know, we all just need a hand sometimes. Yeah, Thaniel.
One thing that's really kind that my mom did was when I used to do acting across town, she would always stay in the parking lot for two hours and wait for me to be done. Wow, that is kind. She could have just left and, you know, run errands or something, but she was there for you, buddy. That's right. That's right. Yeah, Isaac. Something very kind that all of my teachers do is they set aside time. from their break to help us with things that we
don't understand or just help us with homework. So I think that's pretty nice of them. Wow. Yeah, that is kind. But what would you say Isaac defines kindness? So what in that action was kind? Kindness, you're trying to make other people's lives better without any benefit for you. I think that's the definition of kindness. You know, Isaac, that sounds just about right to me. Today's episode of The Children's Hour is all about kindness and we've created a
learning guide. It meets educational standards nationwide in the United States and it's at childrenshour.org. Look for the episode called Kindness. In our learning guide, you can find a hundred examples of kindness that you can do every day. Our special guest who's coming right up is Lindsay Monroe. She's an expert in kindness herself. And this next tune is coming off of Frogs And Birds right here on The Children's Hour.
I walked into my classroom at school, my teachers thought we have a substitute. Oh no, I don't know what to do. Suddenly I feel so blue. I feel myself getting upset. Then I remember not to fret, cause things can change without me knowing. But I can be flexible and easy
going, yeah I can be flexible and easy going. It's the same routine day after day Each afternoon I go outside to play But now the rain is falling and the sky is grey I have to play inside today I feel myself getting upset then I remember not to fret cuz things can change without me knowing but I can be flexible and easy going yeah I can be flexible and easy going. That's Lindsay Monroe. You're listening to The Children's Hour and today
on the show we have a very special guest. It's Lindsay Monroe. She is a multi-instrumentationalist, which I think means she plays a lot of instruments. And you've heard, she has a beautiful singing voice. She's been performing quite a bit with Raffi, who is a friend of The Children's Hour. Lindsay, welcome to The Children's Hour. Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here with you today. We are very excited that you're with us too, Lindsay. Let's go over to Amadeus.
When did you start making music and what inspired you to do so? Interesting story. I have been making music since I was really little, my whole life. Not professionally, but when I was a little girl, I loved to watch Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. And one episode, Yo-Yo Ma was on with Mr. Rogers and I heard his cello. I was a little kid and I thought that's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. And I asked my mom, mom, can I please play cello? I really love this sound. So
she took me to the music store and they didn't have a cello small enough for me. I was really little kid. And so they gave me a violin and I started playing violin when I was probably five. But I've always loved the cello and Yo-Yo Ma's music. So last year during the pandemic, I had the honor of releasing a song featuring Yo-Yo Ma and it was called For All You Do and it's a song of gratitude. So that was just a wonderful experience. Let's play that. This
is For All You Do with Raffi and our guest, Lindsay Monroe, along with Yo-Yo Ma. More coming up right here on The Children's Hour. Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm We can say thank you. We can say thanks for all you do. We can say thank you for all you do. Every one of us in the web of life gives a little each day. For the things we need, we turn to one another and help is on the way. Nurses, doctors, cleaners and drivers,
farmers, teachers and more. So many helpers to be found. Help is all around. We can say thank you. We can say thanks for all you do. We can say thank you For all you do. you Every one of us in the web of life. Gives a little each day. And for the things we need. We turn to one another and help is on the way. Nurses, doctors, cleaners and drivers Farmers, teachers and more. So many helpers to be found. Help is all around. We can say
thank you. We can say thanks for all you do. We can say thank you. For all you do. We can say thank you. We can say thanks for all you do. We can say thank you for all you do. We can say thank you for all you do. Starts thinking and I'm thinking what's the reason. Why we holding back from being kind What's the disease but then I sense. We are fine It'll all happen. One small step at a time. When the world is full of violence. And it needs a little kindness I just sit and pray in silence.
And God shows me the signs. Open my eyes. Realize We are fine small act at a last. Last night I'm walking home and the homeless man says hello with a smile to let me know that he's got a lot of hope. He says have faith young man we are fine the world is kind. One small act at a time Small acts we do together Even though maybe alone. Changes the world for the better. So we can call it home. And this is life as we know. When our hearts are aligned. The
magic that unfolds. One small act at a time. Throw your hearts out seeing you and soon enough you and me will be out of time. And kindness will be all we can leave behind. Feeling grateful today never thought this day would come. Where I would feel it and say that each and every one of us has paved the way doing good. And now we're all just moving up. When I'm kind to you, you pay it forward. This is how we will trust. Never
had faith but now I'm seeing you hotter I wanna gift you my life. Wanna spread love before. Thank you God for finally letting me realize. When I serve man, I'm really serving you in disguise. Smiles everywhere cause now everybody's got the bug. Ain't no life without the love If it isn't, ain't no fun. What we gonna do now? Just grab a friend and give a hug. Spread it out real wide so everyone can be touched. Show your hearts up, let it fly Let it drop down, let
um it to every single living soul. Can you see your love for me shining through? Cause what you see in me, I can see in you. And soon enough, you and me will be out of time. And kindness will be all we can leave behind. every single living soul. Can you see your love for me shining through? Cause what you see in me, I can see in you. And soon enough, you and me will be out of time. And kindness will be all we can leave behind.
Nimo and before that, Raffi Yo-Yo Ma and our guest, Lindsay Monroe with For All You Do. That song was written for first responders during the COVID pandemic, but we still remain grateful for all you do. Find our learning guide for this episode at ChildrensHour.org. Look for Kindness. You're listening to The Children's Hour Kids Public Radio. We'll be right back. The Children's Hour is a production of The Children's Hour Incorporated. We're
a New Mexico based non-profit organization and we're funded by listeners just like you. Learn more at childrenshour.org. The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs supports The Children's Hour. Celebrate the diverse cultures of New Mexico at nmculture.org. I like all of the podcasts because they help me learn a lot. I'm Brooklyn Elder from Albuquerque. Find hundreds of educational podcasts at ChildrensHour.org or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Look for
The Children's Hour. You're listening to The Children's Hour. I'm Katie Stone and today's show is all about kindness. We have a learning guide for this episode. You can find it. It's a ChildrensHour.org under the episode called Kindness. With us today on the show is Lindsay Monroe. And we're learning about what is a kind action and we will get into what is the science behind kindness. But first, the kids have a few more questions for our guest, Lindsay
Monroe. Why did you decide to start kids music? That's an interesting story. So before I became a children's musician, I wrote songs for grownups. did folk music with my guitar. And I started playing when my children were little. I started playing at preschools and libraries because I just love children and I love playing music for them. But I was still playing grownup music as well. And then in 2019, I went to a Raffi concert and I met him backstage and he encouraged
me to try and write a song for children. So I said, well, if Raffi thinks I should, I guess I should try that. So I went home and I wrote, Am Kind. And I sent it to Raffi and he really inspired me to start writing music for children. He loved the song, he encouraged me to write more. So I did. So I owe a big thank you to Raffi for encouraging me with that. What's your favorite part about writing a song and what does your creative process look like?
Thanks for asking. You know, my creative process, I always start with a melody idea. It always starts just humming a little melody, strumming my ukulele, and then the words will come. And I always start with the music first and then the words. Usually, I would say 90% of the time, that's my creative process. My favorite thing is when I just get an idea for some lyrics and it's just so exciting to think, oh, that's what this song wants to be about. And then
to start writing almost a poem and then I put it together with the music. It's so fun. It's such a magical process. I don't even fully understand it, but I always feel so excited when I write a new song, like, wow, that was pretty good. It's so fun. Do you have any advice for other kids or adults who want to make kids music? Yes, I do. I think you should follow your heart, write some songs or play some songs you know, and share them with children because
it's so kind to share music with others. What is your favorite thing about your job? Oh, my favorite thing about my job? There are so many favorite things. That's one thing about me. I so many favorites. Some of my favorite things are making music with Raffi. He's just so joyful and fun and we just have so much fun making music together. I love sharing my music. I love hearing from kids and families who enjoy the music and it means something
to them. The other day I saw on social media a preschool sang one of my songs at their graduation and that's probably one of my favorite things is just to hear people make the songs their own and have it mean something to them. I love that. Why do you like playing the songs that you are doing? Well, when I was a kid, my favorite thing in the world was to listen to music and
sing songs. So the reason why I like doing it is because the artists that I listen to like Raffi and like others like Sharon Lois & Bram and Mr. Rogers, they brought me so much joy. It was just my favorite thing to listen to them. So I like to do it because I like to bring joy to other people. What's your favorite song? Oh, good question. I think my favorite song that I wrote is called I Am Kind because I am all about kindness. I love to be kind
and I like to sing about it so that I can encourage other people to be kind too. I am kind I'll be your friend will you be mine I can share a smile I am kind great. Do it though I feel afraid I can do the hard things I am brave. And I am In a great. Solving problems that arise. Finding new solutions I am wise I am strong I'm okay when things go wrong I know I can do it I am strong. And I am love. My arms around myself in a great big hug I am love, I am love you.
We all need a place to call home. With our laughter, our joy and our song. To thrive with the old and the young. A community caring and strong. Where there is love, where there is love. Where there is love, we belong. Where there is love, where there is love, where there is love, we belong. and faces, a chorus of comforting voices, sights and sounds for our minds and hearts in the places we feel we belong. Where there is love, where there is love, where there
is love, we belong. Where there is love, where there is love, where there is love, we belong. Where there is love, where there is love, where there is love, we belong. Where there is love, where there is love, where there is love, we belong. Sometimes it's easy to feel like the world's getting harder. But if we look closer, on the news, on the web, on the street, we're anything but unkind. Every day we hear new
stories of people trying to make the world a better place. And together, we can make the world that little bit kinder for all of us. It all starts with just one person, you. The thing about kindness is that it's just about the only thing in the world that doubles
when you share it. And it's a fact, backed by science. Studies have shown that if you perform just one random act of kindness a day, you'll not only reduce your stress, anxiety, and depression, but your body is flooded with the same hormones that make you and the person you've helped calmer, healthier, and happier. Serotonin, which heals your wounds, helps you relax and makes you feel good. Endorphins, which reduce pain. And oxytocin, which reduces
blood pressure and makes you feel more loving and loved. You'll both be more energized, feel less aches and pains, more confident, and could even live longer. And if other people see you helping someone else, they'll be filled with those same feel-good hormones. meaning they're significantly more likely to pay it forward. Like taking that extra moment to hold the elevator for someone. Spotting a coffee for a stranger who's just a few cents short.
Giving your neighbor a hand with their groceries. Even just smiling and meaning it. It doesn't take much, but it can make a huge difference for everyone. Those people you've helped will help other people, and those other people will help even more people. And those random acts of kindness can start a chain reaction that can spread across an entire community, a city, a country, and with enough of us, the world. Now isn't that the world we all
want? And it all starts with one. That's a message from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. You're listening to The Children's Hour. Johnny always started. Good morning Judy says hi y'all. Jose can speak in Spanish and he's learning English too. Don't make fun of other people cuz they don't sound like you. Kindness is a key to understanding. Kindness is a key to get along. promise that you'll think about how other people feel different people look
see their beauty each and every day. Lauren's in a wheelchair, it's so hard to get around. Rita's hair is really red. Tyrone's skin is brown Ashley's really big and Tonya is too Don't make fun of other people cause they don't look like you. Tariq is a muslum emiley is a jew and Richie has two daddies, what about Carla Sue? She has a single parent who has very little money. Just because they're different doesn't mean to treat them funny. Kindness is a key to understanding. Kindness
is a key to get along. Kindness is a key to peace and love for everyone. That's the Kindness Song by Gaye Adegbalola right here on The Children's Hour from her Blues in All Flavors CD. Random Acts of Kindness Foundation brought us that important message about kindness and the scientific benefits of kindness. Where There Is Love (feat. Raffi) is Lindsay Monroe and Raffi from Frogs and Birds. Today's guest on the show is Lindsay Monroe. She has CDs out for kids
and families. And we have links and lots more information posted, including a learning guide for this episode, which is all about kindness. Lindsay, we asked you to be on the show for this episode on kindness because it almost seems like kindness is a specialty for you, especially in the lyrics you write and the work you're doing. Can you talk a little bit about why you are so interested in promoting kindness in kids. Thank you so much. I'm just so happy
to be on this program about kindness because it's so important to me. My children are all a little unique in that they all have autism. And I think it's so important to teach kindness. I want others to be kind to them and I want them to be kind to others. And I think it's so important that we're all kind to each other. Despite our differences, we all should see what makes us unique and special. Everyone deserves respect and friendship. And I think that that's
the message I really want to spread is that everybody should be kind. What was your favorite fan interaction? That's a good question. Well, I think that my favorite was a message I got the other day. I got it from a mom who said, every morning they listen to my song, flexible and easy going. And they taught, she talks with her child about being flexible throughout the day and it really sets their day off to a good start. So that was a really
nice interaction that made my day. Lindsay, you talked about how you have three kids and they all have autism and how your songs are about making music around things that help kids be kinder in general, but also learning to regulate their own emotions. I wonder, do you write your music specifically to help families who have autism in the family? Yes, I do. I think that as a songwriter, you have to write from your own experience and write what you
know. And I write really for my children. If there's something that they're working on or need a little reminder about, I write a song about it. And I think I write it for my children, but I know that it will also help other children and families, not just neurodiverse children and families. But I think all kids and grownups need these messages and these reminders to stay flexible or try new things. I think that we could all use that reminder in a song.
Well, Lindsay Monroe, if there's anything you'd like to leave our audience with today, especially in relation to kindness, what would you say? I would encourage people to just be kind today. As you go about your day, everyone deserves kindness, respect, a friend, and just reach out to people and include people and be a kind friend, because we all need that. Isn't that the truth? Lindsay Monroe, it's been a pleasure to have you on The Children's Hour with us
today. Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us and to share your thoughts. Thank you so much for your kindness, everyone. All the thoughtful questions and having me on the show was lovely. I really enjoyed it. My face shows how I'm feeling I smile when feeling happy I frown when feeling down. My face shows how I'm feeling. My eyes are open wide when I feel surprised. Your face shows feelings too I'll look to you. Because your
face shows how you're feeling. When you smile I know you're happy. When you frown I know you're down. When you bite your lower lip it means you're nervous And when one eyebrow lifts you're curious. When your eyebrows join together. You may be furious you to your parents, though they don't deserve it. Remember that grown-ups is a difficult stage of life. They're apt to be nervous and over-excited, confused by their daily storm
and strife. Just keep in mind, though it seems hard, I know, most parents were children long ago. Incredible. So treat them with patience and kind understanding in spite of the foolish things they do. Someday you might wake up and find your a parent too. That was Buck Howdy and before that our guest Lindsay Monroe. In the background Woody and Arlo Guthrie. You're listening to The Children's Hours episode on kindness and we have a learning
guide. You can find it at childrenshour.org. Look for Kindness. It's full of activities and other ways to make the world a kinder place. The Children's Hour is making weekly learning guides for every episode thanks to the support of the Albuquerque Community Foundation. You can support this effort too. Go to childrenshour.org and click donate and find our learning guides
under our podcast menu. Support for The Children's Hour provided by New Mexico Arts, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and by the National Endowment for the Arts. Support for The Children's Hour provided by the City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department and the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund. Feel. Shelter For my son
Your time I'll take your hand. We'll make a stand. Don't falter We're just as strong as the love that we bring Let's make a world where kindness is king. you. Some are your friends, but then the rest. The love that we bring. You and I. Kindness is King is the Brighter Light Brigade. You're listening to The Children's Hour. I'm Katie Stone and today on the show we're exploring kindness. How can we make kindness a habit?
Kindness can sometimes be a difficult decision to show another person friendship or give to others or consider how another person might be feeling. Sometimes this isn't easy to do. It's not often a random act. Usually we have to be intentional about kindness. We have to make an effort. Kindness can sometimes require real bravery and strength of character. Some of the emotions that go along with kindness are empathy. That's when we feel the same
emotion as the other person because you can imagine yourself in their place. Empathy is a skill that we can all develop and grow. Another emotion associated with kindness is compassion. That's when you have empathy so much that you want to help the other person. Respect is when you treat others as you would like to be treated. Caring is a feeling that shows concern for other people. Helpfulness is doing things to help others. And responsibility
is doing what you need to do. When we're kind to other people, these feelings come up. A sense of responsibility, a sense of helpfulness and purpose. Understanding that we all need one another to make the world go round. And caring for each other and showing one another respect is part of how we build a more beautiful world together. You're listening to The Children's Hour. This episode is about kindness. This is Sonshine and Broccoli. To see how we treat each
to see a simple act of kindness creates positivity. We'll remember what you say If someone is hurt. Make sure they are okay. Spread a little love. Give your friend a hand. Say thank you, who do we call? Put your hand in mine, and together we'll shine. Guess what? It's cool to be kind. Kindness is contagious. Totally courageous. To all your friends you're famous, cause you showed you cared. Helping out your brother. Cleaning
for your mother. Smiling to the world, cause you're always there. Spread a little love. Give your friend a hug. Cool to be kind. Smile at someone. Say thank you. Put your hand in mine. And together we'll shine. Guess what? It's cool to be kind. Together we'll shine. Words can be like swords that hurt our feelings. Words can be like doors that open to understanding. So let's use our words to be kind. To ourselves and others all the time. Say kind words. Let's think kind thoughts.
That's what choosing kindness mean.s Thoughts can be like weeds that spread negativity Thoughts can be like water that streams positivity. So let's think thoughts that are kind. About ourselves and others all the time. You say kind words, let's think kind thoughts That's what choosing kindness means. What we choose to do in our lives matters greatly. Let's choose to do kindness. Stay behind you That's what choosing kindness means. That's what choosing kindness
If you share to show you care, it will come back to you. If you're kind, then you will find it will come back to you. If you smile for a while, it will come back to you. When you want to make a friend, you will learn in the end. But if you're kind to them, they'll be kind to you. If you sing the joy you will bring, it will come back to you. If you say a compliment today, it will come back to you. If you lend a hand unplanned, it will come back to you. When you want to make a friend, you will.
And if you're kind to them, they'll be kind to you. You tell jokes to sad folks, it will come back to you. If you take time to clean some grime, it will come back to you If you land near to a pier, will come back to you When you wanna make a friend, you will If you're kind to them, they'll be kind to you. It's the Young Folkies and before that, Kathryn the Grape. I'm Katie Stone. You've been listening to The Children's Hour on kindness. What kind thing can you do today? Let's spread the joy.
We're going to go out with Riffin Griffin and we'll catch you next time for another edition of The Children's Hour. When you grow up, I hope you will be. The type of person who can shape reality If you wake up and dislike what you see I hope that you can make the
difference that you need. Love the refugee in the and violence When you That every person is deserving empathy, When you take up the challenge to be always inclusive and exude integrity you The Children's Hour is produced by The Children's Hour Incorporated, a New Mexico nonprofit. You can find photos, playlists, learning guides, and activities for every episode at ChildrensHour.org. This episode of The Children's Hour was written and produced by me, Katie Stone, with production
help from Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, McKenzie Graunke, and Thaniel Lentz. Our learning guides are written by Amber Shiel. You can find this one at ChildrensHour.org. Look for Kindness. Find our podcast wherever you listen to podcasts or go to our Patreon.com slash The Children's Hour or ask your smart speaker to play The Children's Hour podcast. Our theme music was written by C.K. Barlow. The Children's Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the
Native American radio network. Thanks for listening to The Children's Hour, Kids Public Radio.