Empowers kids to understand the world around them through science and research. Ideas are offered for how kids can positively impact or change problematic situations like climate change or online misinformation. Explains current inequities for marginalized groups when covering topics like bullying and lack of internet access.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Host Tai Poole models curiosity, resourcefulness, and humor while learning. Topics like brain science or where the internet lives are relevant across a wide range of cultures and communities.
Educational Value
a lot
Teaching guides are available for some episodes. These resources are created for middle-school science, health, language, and social studies teachers.
Diverse Representations
some
Although guests come from diverse career paths, lived experiences, and locations, their identities in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, ability, sexuality, etc., aren't routinely shared. Teenage host Tai was born in Vietnam and moved to Canada as a young child.
Parents need to know that Tai Asks Why focuses on answering one big question at a time asked by the host, a curious teenager named Tai Poole. The conversational and casual way Tai discusses research, information, and learning with knowledgeable adults helps unpack complex topics in a way that's understandable for kids. That said, the podcast's tendency toward advanced vocabulary and detailed information may challenge younger kids. And when issues like bullying or fear about the impact climate change arise, kids may end up with more questions or concerns to discuss with adults or dig into more deeply.
TAI ASKS WHY is an educational podcast that looks to answer big questions like "Where does the internet live?" "Why do people dance?" and "How can we fix climate change?" Through the teenage host's conversations with various experts, kids can learn complex information through a young person's perspective.
The show is an excellent podcast for kids who are interested in learning about the science and reasoning behind things they experience every day. Host of Tai Asks Why, Tai Poole, makes connections to his own life, adding teen humor and relatability. Although the show is targeted at a teen audience, it provides fascinating details about general topics for tweens and adults, too.
Topics like bullying, understanding the teenage brain, and trusting your gut can spark great conversations for educators and parents to have with kids after listening to Tai Asks Why.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the science and research behind the questions in each episode of Tai Asks Why. What can be the impact of internet dead zones in a community?
What question would you want Tai to address in an episode of the podcast?
Why is curiosity a valuable life skill? How has it helped you in your life?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Mary Field
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
