Circle Round – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Circle Round

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

podcast

90%

WISE Score

Public radio folktales from around the world, adapted into rich audio plays that teach values without being preachy.

Circle Round

podcast

Clean

90%

WISE Score

Public radio folktales from around the world, adapted into rich audio plays that teach values without being preachy.

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what public radio does best: thoughtful, high-quality content that respects kids' intelligence without talking down to them. Circle Round takes folktales from around the world and transforms them into immersive audio experiences that actually teach values without feeling like a lecture.

The 15-25 minute format is perfect for modern attention spans while still allowing for real storytelling depth. The built-in conversation starters are genuinely useful, not just tacked-on afterthoughts. And because it's WBUR (Boston's NPR station), you get professional voice acting, original music, and sound design that rivals any kids' podcast out there.

It's screen-free content that works in the car, during quiet time, or as a bedtime routine. Kids get exposed to cultures and traditions they wouldn't otherwise encounter, and parents get a break from negotiating YouTube Kids. Win-win.

Age Fit

Best for ages 3-10, with the sweet spot around 4-8. Younger kids can enjoy the stories but may not grasp all the themes; older elementary kids might find some episodes too simple, though the cultural exposure remains valuable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Folktales adapted for kids with explicit focus on values like kindness, persistence, and generosity. Created by parents for young children, with emotionally healthy themes and age-appropriate storytelling. Each episode ends with a conversation-starter activity designed to deepen family connection.

Imaginative

Draws from diverse folktales worldwide, exposing kids to different cultures and storytelling traditions. Sound- and music-rich production creates immersive audio landscapes that require kids to imagine settings and characters. Folktale format inherently sparks curiosity about different cultures and universal human experiences.

Safe

Public radio (WBUR) production with no ads, no chat features, no monetization concerns. Carefully-selected folktales adapted for young audiences means content is vetted and age-appropriate. Podcast format means no visual surprises, and folktales are predictable in structure. Safe for car listening or background play.

Enriching

Each 15-25 minute episode explores important character values and ethical themes. Folktales from around the world build cultural literacy and empathy. Built-in conversation activities encourage reflection and discussion. Teaches story structure and develops listening skills. Public radio quality production models excellence.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Exposes kids to global cultures and storytelling traditions in bite-sized episodes
Sound design and music make stories come alive without screens
Built-in conversation activities turn listening into family bonding time
Values like kindness and persistence are woven naturally into engaging stories
Perfect for car rides, quiet time, or bedtime routines

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What to Watch For

Some folktales may include mild conflict or scary elements (dragons, witches) typical of fairy tales
Episodes run 15-25 minutes, which might be too long for very young or restless listeners
Kids used to fast-paced visual content may need time to adjust to audio-only storytelling

Conversation Starters

"Which character in the story would you want to be friends with? Why?"
"Have you ever had to be persistent like the character in today's story?"
"What do you think the lesson of this folktale was? Do you agree with it?"
"If we could visit the country this story came from, what would you want to see?"
"How would you have solved the problem differently than the character did?"

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