KIDS ON THE BLOCK VIDEOS
FEELING BETTER
Melody and Brenda are best friends, but when Brenda becomes overwhelmed by a stressful class project, her frustration starts to show in unhealthy ways. Worried that Brenda might say or do something she regrets, Melody steps in with a simple strategy to help her manage her big feelings. Through friendship, encouragement, and practice, Brenda learns to stop, squeeze, take a deep breath, and release before reacting. Feeling Better is a heartwarming story that teaches children the importance of pausing, calming their bodies, and making safe, thoughtful choices when emotions run high.
Why is it important to pause before you react?
In today’s fast-paced world, both children and adults experience moments when emotions can feel overwhelming. Learning to pause before reacting is an essential life skill that helps people make safer, healthier, and more thoughtful choices. When we take a moment to calm our bodies and minds, we are better able to communicate our feelings, solve problems, and avoid actions we may later regret. Teaching children these skills early helps build emotional intelligence, self-control, and resilience, while reminding adults that managing strong emotions is a lifelong practice. By learning to stop, breathe, and think before acting, people of all ages can strengthen relationships, reduce conflict, and respond to challenges with confidence and care.
SAFETY HEROES
Join Claire and her big brother John as they transform into the Safety Heroes — superheroes with one mission: keeping their friends and community safe! In this fun and interactive stage show, the Safety Heroes patrol their neighborhood, helping friends navigate important lessons about gun, fire, and water safety. With exciting adventures, audience participation, and a memorable song, children will learn how to make smart, safe choices in everyday situations.
Why is safety so important? Nearly 350 children unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else with a firearm every year in the U.S. — that’s about one incident every day. Home fires claim the lives of approximately 300 children under 14 annually, with children under five at the highest risk. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4, with nearly 1,000 children dying each year. Through engaging storytelling and relatable characters,
Safety Heroes empowers kids to take safety seriously while having fun. Perfect for pre-K through 5th-grade audiences, this high-energy performance is ideal for libraries, after-school programs, and community centers.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CANCER
“Conversations About Cancer” is a two-part video series created to help parents, caregivers, and educators navigate the challenging topic of cancer with children in a sensitive and engaging way. “Conversations About Cancer” was generously funded by the Baptist Medical Group.
Using the warmth and creativity of puppetry, this series provides families with a comforting, educational resource to foster understanding, empathy, and hope.
In Part 1: Understanding Cancer
John and Melody gently introduce what cancer is, how it affects the body, and the emotions children might feel when someone they love is diagnosed. Through interactive dialogue, they address common fears and misconceptions while encouraging open and supportive conversations.
Part 2: Coping and Support
The second part of the series focuses on coping strategies and sources of support for children dealing with cancer in their family or community. John and Melody share practical tips for expressing feelings, asking questions, and offering comfort to loved ones facing cancer. Additionally, they highlight resources such as support groups, books, and activities that can help children navigate their emotions and feel empowered in difficult times.
BIG FEELINGS
“Big Feelings” is a heartfelt, empowering song by Joseph Johnson that reminds listeners—especially young ones—that emotions are natural, important, and nothing to fear. With gentle lyrics and an uplifting melody, the song creates a safe space to name and normalize emotions like sadness, anger, loneliness, and overwhelm. It reassures us that having big feelings just means we have big, caring hearts. Whether you’re singing it out loud or quietly holding the words close, Big Feelings offers a comforting message: it’s okay to feel, and you’re never alone.
NOT A TOY
Sean and Eddie are hanging out all alone at Eddie’s house watching a movie. Eddie decides to show Sean something “cool”; his father’s pistol. Sean and Eddie discuss the serious nature of guns and how they are not a toy.
This video was generously funded by International Paper.
CYBERBULLY
Melody learns about cyberbullying when Eddie posts a private conversation between them on social media.
This video was generously funded by International Paper.
ALL THE PIECES OF ME
All the Pieces of Me is a song about self acceptance by Joseph Johnson featuring Les Passees Kids on the Block Puppets.
This video was generously supported by Baptist Hospital Group.
Additional Resource about Body Image in young people: https://healthpoweredkids.org/lessons
STRONGER TOGETHER
John’s father is in the hospital and is scared his father won’t come back home. Sean talks to John about his own grief over losing a loved one. John realized that it is a good thing to share his feelings and find support in his friends and family.
Featuring the puppets of Les Passees Kids on the Block and generously funded by the Baptist Hospital Groups.
For an additional resource about grief and young people, check out: https://www.dougy.org/resources/audie…
TALK TO SOMEONE
Lately, Claire has been struggling in school. Brenda checks in with her best friend and finds out that Claire has been suffering with anxiety and depression. Brenda and Claire talk the meaning of anxiety and depression and what Claire can do to find help.
Featuring the puppets from Les Passees Kids on the Block and generously funded by the Baptist Hospital Group.
For an additional resources:
- Online for Anxiety https://childmind.org/about-us/contac… Helps parents and adults understand anxiety in children.
- Coping Cat is great for teachers, parents and kids. Can buy books on Amazon or here is a paid version https://www.copingcatparents.com
- Depression and more: Large resource that leads to several areas. Kennedy Krieger leads a lot of this research https://www.kennedykrieger.org/storie…
IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE
Nam hasn’t been eating well and is starting to feel sluggish. He has also been staying in and playing video games more and more. Mark and Sean talk with Nam about the effects of what food he is eating and the importance of getting outside to play.
Featuring the puppets from Les Passees Kids on the Block and generously funded by the Baptist Hospital Group.
Additional resource about young people, nutrition, and getting active: https://healthykidshealthyfuture.org
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE: AN INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
John and his grandpa attend a play at Theatre Memphis and learn what it means to be a good audience member.
KIDS ON THE BLOCK GOES TO THE DIXON
Renaldo & Nam go on a sensory tour of the Dixon Gallery & Gardens.
This video was a collaboration with the Dixon Gallery & Gardens. Visit the Dixon at www.dixon.org