Squiz Kids Shortcuts

Each week we take a deep dive into a high-interest news or current affairs topic, answering kids' burning questions about everything from the Olympics to Islam. A new episode is released every Monday morning.

 

Looking for curriculum-aligned comprehension activities for each shortcut? We've got you covered. And check the episode notes for more resources to dig deeper.

LATEST SHORTCUT

Your Shortcut to… Australian Women War Heroes

This is your Squiz Kids Shortcut to Australian Women War Heroes—the podcast where we dive into the who, what, when, where, why and how of the big news stories.

Squiz Kids Shortcuts dive into the who, what, when, where, why and how of the big news stories.

PREVIOUS SHORTCUTS

Your Shortcut to… Islam

April 9, 2024

It’s the second biggest religion in the world, and the fastest growing…and for the next month, many believers won’t be eating when the sun is up. We’ll take you through WHAT Islam is… HOW Ramadan is celebrated … and WHY Mecca is so important.

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Your Shortcut to… Easter

March 26, 2024

Your Shortcut to… Easter For the full episode transcript, click here.

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Your Shortcut to… The Australian Gold Rush

March 12, 2024

Your Shortcut to… The Australian Gold Rush LINKS Gold – Australian Government Geoscience: https://www.ga.gov.au/education/minerals-energy/australian-mineral-facts/gold Victorian goldfields for kids: https://www.nma.gov.au/learn/kspace/victorian-goldfields-1854/kids Eureka…

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Your Shortcut to… Taylor Swift

February 27, 2024

Your Shortcut to… Taylor Swift LINKS Christmas Tree Farm (song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN3rDTAdM2oHow Taylor Swift became a billionaire: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/music/crazy-numbers-behind-taylor-swifts-success/news-story/a309dbe652fa5770d63024f42d02e08f Marjorie Finlay: https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat/65065321/…

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Your Shortcut to… The Theory of Evolution

February 13, 2024

Your shortcut to… The Theory of Evolution   LINKS: Charles Darwin – Theory of Evolution Resource (Nat Geo Kids) https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/primary-resource/charles-darwin-theory-evolution/…

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Your Shortcut to… Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons

January 30, 2024

Your shortcut to… Cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons. LINKS: Cyclone Experiment – Cyclone in a bottle: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/185919/Cyclone,-cyclone-experiment,-junior,-final.pdf How do hurricanes form:…

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Your Shortcut to… Australia Day 2024

January 22, 2024
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Your Shortcut to… Roller Coasters

January 15, 2024

They used to be known as “Russian mountains”… Australians spend millions on them every year … and on some, it’s impossible not to scream. We’ll take you through when rollercoasters were first invented; why people don’t fall out when they go upside down; and where you can find some of the craziest coasters.

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Your Shortcut to… Ice Cream

January 8, 2024

Australians eat 20 litres of it per year … it wouldn’t be possible without science … and there are some seriously weird varieties. We’ll take you through WHEN ice cream was invented… HOW science helps us make it even more delicious … and WHAT are the freakiest flavours.

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Your Shortcut to… New Year’s Around the World

January 1, 2024

A good one could involve an empty suitcase… 12 grapes… or special coloured underwear. We’ll take you through what we think are some of the most interesting traditions observed on December 31; where in the world New Year is celebrated on different dates; and why humans care so much about turning over the calendar.

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