Real Stories for Real Children
This gentle children’s podcast brings realistic, age-appropriate stories to life for toddlers and preschoolers ages 1.5–4, inspired by everyday experiences like having a new sibling, big feelings, and having to wait for something you want. Each short social story introduces children to common scenarios and how to respond in them. Episode descriptions also include tips for caregivers that help you tailor your approach to your child based on their needs - whether they be multilingual, non-verbal, or neurodivergent. Created by a former early childhood teacher with a PhD in education, this podcast is a positive way to support emotional growth during car rides or quiet moments together!
Got a topic request? Reach out at realstoriesrealchildren@gmail.com or connect on Instagram at @RealStoriesRealChildren.
Episodes
16 episodes
Tips for Caregivers: Being Gentle with a Toy
This is an episode for adults that includes tips for helping your child play gently with toys, or offering options to play rough (it's a companion to the Being Gentle with a Toy story). Enjoy! Did you try this with your child? How'd...
Being Gentle with a Toy
Sometimes, you want to play rough, but if you play rough with a toy, it can break. In this story, Javi learns that if he plays rough with a toy, it can break, but that there are other ways to play rough. Grown-ups, try this at home!...
Tips for Caregivers: How to Wait
This is an episode for adults that includes information on why we practice "how to wait" at home with your child (it's a companion to the How to Wait children's story). Enjoy! Did you try this with your child? How'd it go...
How to Wait
Sometimes, you have to wait for something you really want, and that can be hard to do. In this story, Javi learns how to wait, by either singing a song or watching what's happening around him. What do you do when you wait? Grown-ups...
Going to School after a Long Break
Sometimes, you haven't been to school in a long time, maybe because you were on a trip, or because school was closed. It can be hard to go back to school after a long break. In this story, Javi is away from school for a long time and then has t...
Tips for Caregivers: When a friend has a toy you want
This is an episode for adults that includes different tips and ways to practice "interrupting politely" at home with your child (it's a companion to the Interrupting Politely children's story). Enjoy! Did you try this wit...
When a friend has a toy you want
Sometimes, a friend has a toy that you want, but you can't take it out of their hand! In this story, Javi and his friend Oscar learn that if someone has something they want, they can either wait or choose something else. Grown-ups, ...
Teeth are for eating!
Sometimes, toddlers forget that teeth are for eating (not biting)! In this story, Javi learns that teeth are for eating, and that he can use words if he wants somethingGrown-ups, try this at home! Did you try this with your c...
Tips for Caregivers: Interrupting Politely
This is a bonus episode for adults that includes different tips and ways to practice "interrupting politely" at home with your child (it's a companion to the Interrupting Politely children's story). Enjoy! Did you try thi...
Interrupting Politely
Sometimes, you want to get an adult's attention and tell them something, but they are already having a conversation! In this story, Javi learns how to interrupt politely or let someone know that he wants to tell them something. Grow...
Using a Kind Voice
Sometimes, when you really want something, it's easy to forget to use a kind voice. In this story, Javi learns and practices how to use a kind voice. Grown-ups, try this at home! Did you try this with your child? How'd i...
Not getting what you want
We don’t always get what we want, and that can be really hard. In this story, Javi learns that when he doesn’t get what he wants, he can try to do something that makes him feel better, or just let himself be sad for a little bit. Gr...
Acknowledging Someone
When someone tells you something, it's kind to acknowledge them. In this story, Javi learns that he can say "okay" or give a thumbs up if someone tells him something, and he wants to let them know that he heard them. Got questions o...
I Need Space
Sometimes, someone is too close to your body and you just need some space. In this story, Javi learns how to say "I need space." Grown-ups, try this out at home! Got questions or comments? Send them to realstoriesrealchi...
