Tune Up Tue, 26 May 2026 08:39:13 -0400 https://playsparkler.org/TuneUp/ en-us © 2026 Tune Up yes 6008e3db-fa9a-566e-b44b-5ab271ab0651 Sparkler Learning episodic false Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Listen to Tune Up to check out the songwriting process and the finished song!

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) music, kids songs, heart, social emotional Sparkler Learning https://storage.buzzsprout.com/q72ahs0mnmx7x9zlv7lvrn2c6i8n?.jpg Tune Up https://playsparkler.org/TuneUp/ I Like You I Like You Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Sawyer (age 5) discuss something that can be a challenge but also fulfilling once we learn how: using kind words.

Something as seemingly simple as saying "thank you," "let's share," or "I like playing with you" can be hard, but using kind words is foundational to children's social and emotional development. It builds empathy and helps children to grow healthy relationships. Using kind words helps kids learn that their words have power — and can help others feel good!

The episode begins with an open conversation about the importance of using kind words. Then Benjamin and Sawyer pretend to show the difference between using kind words and doing the opposite. 

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Sawyer co-create a catchy song about the power of kind words. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music tomorrow, and soon on the Tune Up album!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Discussing everyday kind words. 
🌟 Discussing how you feel when others use kind words.  
🌟 Talking about different scenarios at school, on the playground, or at home, and talking through the pros and cons of different words we could use or different ways to talk to others. 
🌟 Brainstorming ways that your family could use more kind words. 
🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about kindness.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Sawyer (age 5) discuss something that can be a challenge but also fulfilling once we learn how: using kind words.

Something as seemingly simple as saying "thank you," "let's share," or "I like playing with you" can be hard, but using kind words is foundational to children's social and emotional development. It builds empathy and helps children to grow healthy relationships. Using kind words helps kids learn that their words have power — and can help others feel good!

The episode begins with an open conversation about the importance of using kind words. Then Benjamin and Sawyer pretend to show the difference between using kind words and doing the opposite. 

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Sawyer co-create a catchy song about the power of kind words. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music tomorrow, and soon on the Tune Up album!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Discussing everyday kind words. 
🌟 Discussing how you feel when others use kind words.  
🌟 Talking about different scenarios at school, on the playground, or at home, and talking through the pros and cons of different words we could use or different ways to talk to others. 
🌟 Brainstorming ways that your family could use more kind words. 
🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about kindness.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-19240804 Tue, 26 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 417 kindness, kind words, parenting, empathy 1 9 full false We Can All Have Fun! We Can All Have Fun! Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Leo (age 8) discuss something that can precipitate lots of big feelings on the playground and beyond: Including and excluding others.

Leo shares that some of his classmates started a group that excludes other kids — including girls! Leo says it's important to do the opposite and INCLUDE other kids in your play — whether you're playing soccer, pretending, reading books, or playing another game. Why? He says: 
🌟 It feels good to include others
🌟 Excluding people can hurt them
🌟 It's usually possible (and more fun!) to change your game to include more friends

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about the importance of inclusion. Then Benjamin and Leo imagine a pretend game of Good Monster/Bad Monster and think of a way to include a third friend in the monster play. 

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Leo co-create a catchy song about the power of including others. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music tomorrow, and soon on the Tune Up album!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Discussing times when you've noticed kids including or excluding others. 
🌟 Telling your child a story about a time when you felt excluded from something and a time when you felt included in something. What happened? How did you feel? 
🌟 Asking your child, "What does it feel like to include others?"
🌟 Asking your child, "What does it feel like when you're excluded from something?"
🌟 Brainstorming ways that your family could include other people. 
🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about including others.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Leo (age 8) discuss something that can precipitate lots of big feelings on the playground and beyond: Including and excluding others.

Leo shares that some of his classmates started a group that excludes other kids — including girls! Leo says it's important to do the opposite and INCLUDE other kids in your play — whether you're playing soccer, pretending, reading books, or playing another game. Why? He says: 
🌟 It feels good to include others
🌟 Excluding people can hurt them
🌟 It's usually possible (and more fun!) to change your game to include more friends

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about the importance of inclusion. Then Benjamin and Leo imagine a pretend game of Good Monster/Bad Monster and think of a way to include a third friend in the monster play. 

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Leo co-create a catchy song about the power of including others. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music tomorrow, and soon on the Tune Up album!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Discussing times when you've noticed kids including or excluding others. 
🌟 Telling your child a story about a time when you felt excluded from something and a time when you felt included in something. What happened? How did you feel? 
🌟 Asking your child, "What does it feel like to include others?"
🌟 Asking your child, "What does it feel like when you're excluded from something?"
🌟 Brainstorming ways that your family could include other people. 
🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about including others.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> https://playsparkler.org/tuneup Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-19199926 Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 535 inclusion, exclusion, including others, playing together, parenting 1 8 full false Try Something New. You Might Love It! Try Something New. You Might Love It! Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Cameron (age 4) discuss something that's a challenge for many kids: Trying new things!

Whether it's trying new foods, trying to swim in the pool, or trying to sing a new song, trying new things can be daunting. Cameron shares that even though trying new things is hard, trying is the only way you can learn about something and it's the only way to know if you'll like it or not. 

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about trying new things. With help from Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, they practice trying a new food: pancakes with raspberries. Cameron suggests trying a tiny bite ... and Bloop proclaims the bite to be "delicious!"

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Cameron co-create a catchy song about trying new things. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video soon!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing the new foods we've tasted and the new things we've learned recently. 

🌟 Telling your child a story about a time when you tried something new, and sharing what you learned.  

🌟 Asking your child, "What does it feel like to try something new?"

🌟 Asking your child, "What's something new we can try today?"

🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about trying something new.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Cameron (age 4) discuss something that's a challenge for many kids: Trying new things!

Whether it's trying new foods, trying to swim in the pool, or trying to sing a new song, trying new things can be daunting. Cameron shares that even though trying new things is hard, trying is the only way you can learn about something and it's the only way to know if you'll like it or not. 

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about trying new things. With help from Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, they practice trying a new food: pancakes with raspberries. Cameron suggests trying a tiny bite ... and Bloop proclaims the bite to be "delicious!"

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Cameron co-create a catchy song about trying new things. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video soon!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing the new foods we've tasted and the new things we've learned recently. 

🌟 Telling your child a story about a time when you tried something new, and sharing what you learned.  

🌟 Asking your child, "What does it feel like to try something new?"

🌟 Asking your child, "What's something new we can try today?"

🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about trying something new.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-19161510 Tue, 12 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 528 1 7 full false Tune Up Mixtape Volume I: The Full Tune Up 🎶💛 Theme Song & Other Original Songs Tune Up Mixtape Volume I: The Full Tune Up 🎶💛 Theme Song & Other Original Songs It's time to put on your dancing socks 🧦🎶! In this special episode, host Benjamin shares a special "mix tape" of catchy kids' songs from the Tune Up podcast — as well as the debut of the full Tune Up theme song. 

Each song in Tune Up is inspired by a conversation between host Benjamin and a child about something tough they're dealing with — from learning to be flexible to saying sorry. The kids' words turn into lyrics and their humming and drumming turns into the notes of the songs. The songs are performed by Benjamin with the kid guests — and produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones! They're being released first here, and then as an album.

 On today's episode, you'll hear the following original songs from Tune Up 📼🎶: 

🎶 TUNE UP featuring Benjamin, Dean, and Kids from Tune Up! 

🎶 FLEXIBILITY featuring Benjamin with Zaira, 8

🎶 WAIT FOR ANYTHING featuring Benjamin with Nico, 5

🎶 SIBLINGS ARE TOUGH, featuring Benjamin with siblings Zaira, 8, and Zaim, 5

🎶 THE CLEAN UP DANCE, featuring Benjamin with Georgia, 5

🎶 I CAN SAY SORRY, featuring Benjamin with Zaim, 5

Tune Up is perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Having a dance party as you listen to the episode!

🌟 Discussing the words you hear in the songs. Which words stick in your heads? Why? 

🌟 Using the Tune Up method with your child to talk about and then make up a song about something tough — one of the topics in this episode or something challenging happening at home or school. 

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> It's time to put on your dancing socks 🧦🎶! In this special episode, host Benjamin shares a special "mix tape" of catchy kids' songs from the Tune Up podcast — as well as the debut of the full Tune Up theme song. 

Each song in Tune Up is inspired by a conversation between host Benjamin and a child about something tough they're dealing with — from learning to be flexible to saying sorry. The kids' words turn into lyrics and their humming and drumming turns into the notes of the songs. The songs are performed by Benjamin with the kid guests — and produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones! They're being released first here, and then as an album.

 On today's episode, you'll hear the following original songs from Tune Up 📼🎶: 

🎶 TUNE UP featuring Benjamin, Dean, and Kids from Tune Up! 

🎶 FLEXIBILITY featuring Benjamin with Zaira, 8

🎶 WAIT FOR ANYTHING featuring Benjamin with Nico, 5

🎶 SIBLINGS ARE TOUGH, featuring Benjamin with siblings Zaira, 8, and Zaim, 5

🎶 THE CLEAN UP DANCE, featuring Benjamin with Georgia, 5

🎶 I CAN SAY SORRY, featuring Benjamin with Zaim, 5

Tune Up is perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Having a dance party as you listen to the episode!

🌟 Discussing the words you hear in the songs. Which words stick in your heads? Why? 

🌟 Using the Tune Up method with your child to talk about and then make up a song about something tough — one of the topics in this episode or something challenging happening at home or school. 

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-19125444 Tue, 05 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 846 mix tape, music, kids music, family music, original music 1 6 full false Saying Sorry So You Can Keep Playing Saying Sorry So You Can Keep Playing Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Zaim (age 5) discuss something that is challenging but necessary: SAYING SORRY!

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about how Zaim sometimes does something inconsiderate toward his sister or a friend, and then needs to say "Sorry." With help from Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, they practice saying sorry like they mean it and they talk about the importance of genuine apologies. They discover that after a genuine apology, people are usually able to forgive, move forward, and ... return to playing! 

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Zaim co-create a catchy song about saying sorry — with Zaim's tune and words. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video soon!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing saying sorry: "Tell me about a time when YOU had to say sorry. What happened? What did you say? What did your friend say?"
 
🌟 Asking your child: "What does it feel like to say 'I'm sorry?'"

🌟 Sharing a moment when YOU had to apologize. Tell your child what you felt like before saying sorry ... and how you felt after saying sorry.

🌟 Telling your child, "It can be scary to say sorry, but apologizing can help you and another person feel better." Let's practice with puppets or stuffed animals.

🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about saying sorry.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin and his friend Zaim (age 5) discuss something that is challenging but necessary: SAYING SORRY!

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about how Zaim sometimes does something inconsiderate toward his sister or a friend, and then needs to say "Sorry." With help from Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, they practice saying sorry like they mean it and they talk about the importance of genuine apologies. They discover that after a genuine apology, people are usually able to forgive, move forward, and ... return to playing! 

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Zaim co-create a catchy song about saying sorry — with Zaim's tune and words. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video soon!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing saying sorry: "Tell me about a time when YOU had to say sorry. What happened? What did you say? What did your friend say?"
 
🌟 Asking your child: "What does it feel like to say 'I'm sorry?'"

🌟 Sharing a moment when YOU had to apologize. Tell your child what you felt like before saying sorry ... and how you felt after saying sorry.

🌟 Telling your child, "It can be scary to say sorry, but apologizing can help you and another person feel better." Let's practice with puppets or stuffed animals.

🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about saying sorry.

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> https://playsparkler.org/tuneup Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-19089189 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400 403 sorry, apologies, saying sorry, parenting, kids podcast 1 5 full false Let's Turn Cleaning Up Into a Dance Let's Turn Cleaning Up Into a Dance Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friend Georgia (who was 5 years old when the podcast was recorded) talked about something that's challenging for Georgia and many other kids: CLEANING UP! 

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about cleaning — why it's hard even though your parents insist it's important and some ways that we can make the chore of cleaning a little more fun. Georgia shares her idea of a clean-up DANCE, which she says makes the work of cleaning  more tolerable.

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Georgia co-create a catchy song about cleaning up — with Georgia's tune and words: THE CLEAN UP DANCE. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video tomorrow!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing Cleaning Up: Do you like cleaning up your room? What's hard about it? Does anything make cleaning up your room (or your home) a little easier? 


🌟 Sharing: If YOU struggle with cleaning up (as many grown-ups do!) share any tricks and tips you have about cleaning up. Did you learn any of these tricks when you were little?  


🌟 Asking your child: Can we come up with any of our own moves (choreography) for THE CLEAN UP DANCE? Let's practice some of our own dance moves!


🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about cleaning up!

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friend Georgia (who was 5 years old when the podcast was recorded) talked about something that's challenging for Georgia and many other kids: CLEANING UP! 

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about cleaning — why it's hard even though your parents insist it's important and some ways that we can make the chore of cleaning a little more fun. Georgia shares her idea of a clean-up DANCE, which she says makes the work of cleaning  more tolerable.

Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin and Georgia co-create a catchy song about cleaning up — with Georgia's tune and words: THE CLEAN UP DANCE. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video tomorrow!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing Cleaning Up: Do you like cleaning up your room? What's hard about it? Does anything make cleaning up your room (or your home) a little easier? 


🌟 Sharing: If YOU struggle with cleaning up (as many grown-ups do!) share any tricks and tips you have about cleaning up. Did you learn any of these tricks when you were little?  


🌟 Asking your child: Can we come up with any of our own moves (choreography) for THE CLEAN UP DANCE? Let's practice some of our own dance moves!


🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about cleaning up!

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-19050167 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 401 full false Siblings Are Tough...But Also The Best 💛💛 Siblings Are Tough...But Also The Best 💛💛 Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friends Zaira (age 8) and Zaim (age 5) to talk all about the ups and downs of having a sibling — and to create a brand new song inspired by their experiences.

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about what it’s really like to have a sibling. Zaira and Zaim share some of the best parts of being brother and sister, like always having a built-in play partner, as well as some of the challenges, like sharing things that both want and working through disagreements. Together, they explore their feelings and what helps when things get tough.

With support from their stuffies (who are siblings, too!) and Benjamin’s puppet friend Bloop, the conversation turns creative. Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin transforms Zaira and Zaim’s ideas into a fun, original song called SIBLINGS ARE TOUGH, helping turn real-life challenges into something kids can sing through and feel empowered by. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video tomorrow!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing Siblings: What is a sibling? Siblings have at least one parent in common. Siblings can live together or in different homes. Siblings can be any gender and any age! Sometimes they look like one another (like twins, even!) and sometimes they look very different. (If your child doesn’t have a sibling, you can talk about a cousin or really close friend, who is like a sibling to them.)

🌟 Sharing: If YOU have a sibling, share a story from your childhood that includes your sibling! That is a great way to start the conversation.

🌟 Asking your child: Is your sibling older or younger than you? How are you and your sibling similar ... and different?

🌟 Asking your child: What do you like to do together with your sibling? What is something you like that your sibling dislikes?

🌟 Saying: It can be tough to  have a sibling! What happens when you and your sibling disagree?

🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about siblings!

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ 

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Welcome! In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friends Zaira (age 8) and Zaim (age 5) to talk all about the ups and downs of having a sibling — and to create a brand new song inspired by their experiences.

The episode begins with a playful and honest conversation about what it’s really like to have a sibling. Zaira and Zaim share some of the best parts of being brother and sister, like always having a built-in play partner, as well as some of the challenges, like sharing things that both want and working through disagreements. Together, they explore their feelings and what helps when things get tough.

With support from their stuffies (who are siblings, too!) and Benjamin’s puppet friend Bloop, the conversation turns creative. Using the Tune Up method, Benjamin transforms Zaira and Zaim’s ideas into a fun, original song called SIBLINGS ARE TOUGH, helping turn real-life challenges into something kids can sing through and feel empowered by. (The song was produced by GRAMMY®-winning musician Dean Jones. It will be released as a stand-alone music video tomorrow!)

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:

🌟 Discussing Siblings: What is a sibling? Siblings have at least one parent in common. Siblings can live together or in different homes. Siblings can be any gender and any age! Sometimes they look like one another (like twins, even!) and sometimes they look very different. (If your child doesn’t have a sibling, you can talk about a cousin or really close friend, who is like a sibling to them.)

🌟 Sharing: If YOU have a sibling, share a story from your childhood that includes your sibling! That is a great way to start the conversation.

🌟 Asking your child: Is your sibling older or younger than you? How are you and your sibling similar ... and different?

🌟 Asking your child: What do you like to do together with your sibling? What is something you like that your sibling dislikes?

🌟 Saying: It can be tough to  have a sibling! What happens when you and your sibling disagree?

🌟 Using the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about siblings!

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@tuneupsparkler
 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TuneUpSparkler/ 

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. It is produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-19011902 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 524 1 3 full false How to Wait for Anything! 🕑 How to Wait for Anything! 🕑 Welcome! We're so excited that you’re joining us for our second episode of Tune Up!

In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friend Nico, age 5, to discuss patience and waiting and write a brand new song about it.

The episode begins with an open and meaningful conversation between Benjamin and Nico about waiting! Waiting can be hard for Nico, and for lots of people, but using your imagination can make the time pass faster. Nico and Benjamin share ideas about what kids can do while they are waiting, and turn their ideas into a song. 

After discussing waiting with Nico and Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, Benjamin turns Nico's words into a new song about waiting using the Tune Up method — which is designed to adapt the words and ideas of children into empowering songs that can help them to cope with hard things and overcome day-to-day challenges that all kids experience in a joyful way. The episode concludes with the original music video of the song that Benjamin and Nico wrote. The song is called WAIT FOR ANYTHING.

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Asking your child: "What are some things that you have had to wait for?"

🌟 Asking your child: "What are things we have to wait for at school? What are things we have to wait for at home?" 

🌟 Discussing: "What does it feel like when we have to wait for something?" 

🌟 Saying, "It can be hard to wait, especially when you’re waiting for something exciting! What are some ways that YOU can think of to make the waiting easier?"

🌟 Use the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about waiting!


About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
 If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuneupsparkler

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. Produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup


]]> Welcome! We're so excited that you’re joining us for our second episode of Tune Up!

In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friend Nico, age 5, to discuss patience and waiting and write a brand new song about it.

The episode begins with an open and meaningful conversation between Benjamin and Nico about waiting! Waiting can be hard for Nico, and for lots of people, but using your imagination can make the time pass faster. Nico and Benjamin share ideas about what kids can do while they are waiting, and turn their ideas into a song. 

After discussing waiting with Nico and Benjamin's puppet friend Bloop, Benjamin turns Nico's words into a new song about waiting using the Tune Up method — which is designed to adapt the words and ideas of children into empowering songs that can help them to cope with hard things and overcome day-to-day challenges that all kids experience in a joyful way. The episode concludes with the original music video of the song that Benjamin and Nico wrote. The song is called WAIT FOR ANYTHING.

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Asking your child: "What are some things that you have had to wait for?"

🌟 Asking your child: "What are things we have to wait for at school? What are things we have to wait for at home?" 

🌟 Discussing: "What does it feel like when we have to wait for something?" 

🌟 Saying, "It can be hard to wait, especially when you’re waiting for something exciting! What are some ways that YOU can think of to make the waiting easier?"

🌟 Use the Tune Up Method with your child to create your own song about waiting!


About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
 If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuneupsparkler

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. Produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup


]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-18959891 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 682 music, kids music, waiting, patience, parenting 1 2 full false Changing Your Mind to Have More Fun Changing Your Mind to Have More Fun Welcome friends! We're so excited that you’re joining us for our FIRST EVER episode of the Tune Up podcast!

In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friend Zaira, age 8, to discuss flexibility and write a brand new song about it.

The episode begins with an open and meaningful conversation between Benjamin and Zaira about what it means to be flexible and some times when Zaira has had to be flexible with her thinking. Benjamin’s puppet friend, Bloop, joins the conversation and role-plays different social and emotional scenarios with Zaira related to flexibility. Zaira concludes that when she’s flexible, she’s able to have more fun. For example, she might have to play inside if there’s bad weather — but she can still play and it’s still fun!

After discussing flexibility, Benjamin and Zaira collaboratively write a song about being flexible using the Tune Up method — which is designed to adapt the words and ideas of children into empowering songs that can help them to cope with hard things and overcome day-to-day challenges that all kids experience in a joyful way. The episode concludes with the original music video of the song that Benjamin and Zaira wrote. The song is called FLEXIBILITY. 

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Asking your child: "What are some things about being a kid that are tricky?” “What are some things about being a kid that are fun?”
🌟 Asking your child: “What does it mean to be flexible?”
🌟 Saying, “Yes, being flexible is being willing to change or compromise. Sometimes plans change, or you can’t do the thing that you want to do; being flexible is when you’re OK with something different.”
🌟 Asking your child: “Can you think of a time when we have had to be flexible?”
🌟 Discussing: “What does it feel like when we have to be flexible (before, during, after)?”

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
 If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuneupsparkler

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. Produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Welcome friends! We're so excited that you’re joining us for our FIRST EVER episode of the Tune Up podcast!

In this episode, host Benjamin is joined by his friend Zaira, age 8, to discuss flexibility and write a brand new song about it.

The episode begins with an open and meaningful conversation between Benjamin and Zaira about what it means to be flexible and some times when Zaira has had to be flexible with her thinking. Benjamin’s puppet friend, Bloop, joins the conversation and role-plays different social and emotional scenarios with Zaira related to flexibility. Zaira concludes that when she’s flexible, she’s able to have more fun. For example, she might have to play inside if there’s bad weather — but she can still play and it’s still fun!

After discussing flexibility, Benjamin and Zaira collaboratively write a song about being flexible using the Tune Up method — which is designed to adapt the words and ideas of children into empowering songs that can help them to cope with hard things and overcome day-to-day challenges that all kids experience in a joyful way. The episode concludes with the original music video of the song that Benjamin and Zaira wrote. The song is called FLEXIBILITY. 

Perfect for kids ages 3–10 and for listening together as a family.

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
🌟 Asking your child: "What are some things about being a kid that are tricky?” “What are some things about being a kid that are fun?”
🌟 Asking your child: “What does it mean to be flexible?”
🌟 Saying, “Yes, being flexible is being willing to change or compromise. Sometimes plans change, or you can’t do the thing that you want to do; being flexible is when you’re OK with something different.”
🌟 Asking your child: “Can you think of a time when we have had to be flexible?”
🌟 Discussing: “What does it feel like when we have to be flexible (before, during, after)?”

About the Tune Up Podcast:
Tune Up uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child about a difficult topic. Together, they write an empowering song to take on the challenge. Tune Up helps children to build social and emotional skills, growth mindset, coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and mindfulness skills. It's also FUN and a perfect co-listening experience for kids and their grown-ups.

About Host Benjamin:
Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. He writes for shows including Dora on Paramount Plus, Rosie’s Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon & Schuster.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
 If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Tune Up.
🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TuneUpSparkler
 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuneupsparkler
 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuneupsparkler

Credits:
Tune Up is hosted by Benjamin Weiner. Produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Brittany Sommer Katzin and Dana Stewart.

🌈 Visit The Tune Up Website:
 https://playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-18932679 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400 590 full false Tune Up Trailer Tune Up Trailer Tune Up 💜🎶 is a short-form podcast series that uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others on the playground. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child (aged 4-8) about a difficult topic, and together, they write a song to help themselves and other children learn from the challenge and grow. Benjamin’s candid conversations with young children can help parents, educators, and children work together as they  navigate tricky situations like apologizing for mistakes, being patient, and trying new things.

Find Tune Up Everywhere!
Coming soon to YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever your family listens to podcasts!

Find it on the Sparkler App, too!
Sparkler families: You'll also find Tune Up on your Sparkler app! Sparkler Learning is the nonprofit organization that produces Tune Up. Sparkler is also a technology platform that helps early childhood professionals connect families with developmental screening and play-based learning activities to boost children’s early learning and development.

About the Host
Benjamin Weiner is the host of the Tune Up podcast. He worked with the team at Sparkler Learning to create Tune Up. Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. After being a classroom teacher for 10 years, he became a writer and composer. He writes for shows like Dora the Explorer on Paramount Plus, Rosie's Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon and Schuster. He has worked with Sparkler since 2022, and he regularly composes and performs songs for Sparkler's Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.

Learn more: playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Tune Up 💜🎶 is a short-form podcast series that uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others on the playground. In each episode, teacher and musician Benjamin Weiner chats with a child (aged 4-8) about a difficult topic, and together, they write a song to help themselves and other children learn from the challenge and grow. Benjamin’s candid conversations with young children can help parents, educators, and children work together as they  navigate tricky situations like apologizing for mistakes, being patient, and trying new things.

Find Tune Up Everywhere!
Coming soon to YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever your family listens to podcasts!

Find it on the Sparkler App, too!
Sparkler families: You'll also find Tune Up on your Sparkler app! Sparkler Learning is the nonprofit organization that produces Tune Up. Sparkler is also a technology platform that helps early childhood professionals connect families with developmental screening and play-based learning activities to boost children’s early learning and development.

About the Host
Benjamin Weiner is the host of the Tune Up podcast. He worked with the team at Sparkler Learning to create Tune Up. Benjamin Weiner is a writer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. After being a classroom teacher for 10 years, he became a writer and composer. He writes for shows like Dora the Explorer on Paramount Plus, Rosie's Rules on PBS, and Vida the Vet on Netflix, and makes kids music as Princess Backpack and Benjamin. His first picture book is in the works with Simon and Schuster. He has worked with Sparkler since 2022, and he regularly composes and performs songs for Sparkler's Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.

Learn more: playsparkler.org/tuneup

]]> Sparkler Learning Buzzsprout-18902899 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400 114 new podcast, kids podcast, kids listen 1 1 trailer false