Advertise on podcast: Shelly & The Can-Do Kids

Noelle loves Christmas ... time with family, delicious food and gifts under the tree! What's not to love? Well, (as Noelle discovers) getting a gift you didn't ask for and didn't want feels pretty bad. Uncomfortable feelings come flooding in when she opens the gift in question. Was she stupid for imagining Christmas could be perfect? She feels so disappointed. Fortunately Shelly knows a thing or two about disappointment and 'bad' gifts - she's even written a song about it. Does getting a gift you didn't want, ruin Christmas? Is there a way to deal with disappointment? What even is a 'bad' gift? Listen to find out. DISCLAIMER: Shelly gets carried away singing about her teeth in the song "full enough cup", but tortoises don't in fact have teeth. Can't blame an ancient tortoise for letting the truth get in the way of a good narrative drive in a song!!   Highlights include – cute stings from the coolest toys in town, the frogs participating in a re-enactment of receiving a terrible gift and Shelly saving the day, with her insatiable appetite for performance!   Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  Shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and yourself repeatedly, when YOU get a gift you don't want this holiday season!   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucia is in a state of sadness. Christmas has come to an end. The kitchen discos are over. The presents are all unwrapped and Lucia HATES endings! Where has all the fun gone? Shelly HATES endings too. She tries to help Lucia but is also managing an ending of her own. Can they help each other find a way through the feelings that endings bring? How do you cope with endings? Are all endings bad? Can endings bring new beginnings? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – the return of the most daft owl in town, harmonising hedgehogs bringing decorum, a tortoise on the edge, and the biggest grand finale... featuring the WHOLE garden!   Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  Shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and THE WORLD!   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!      Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dante is a wonderful wordsmith; he loves writing stories... but oh dear, his teacher has announced a writing competition and to his surprise he’s feeling the fear. The pressure to succeed is filling him with self-doubt. Luckily Shelly believes she knows a bit about being brilliant and the uncertainties that come with that. How do you overcome a mental block when working creatively? How do you get creative? Can you be brilliant and still struggle? Is it ok to fail? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – the return of the frogs, getting deep into the creative process, country singing monarch butterflies and the hugging of failure.   Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  Shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and the animals in your garden, who also love podcasts too, don’t ya know!   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomas loves to tap. He’s seen some new shoes. He desperately wants them. They sparkle and the thought of wearing them makes his heart skip a beat. The problem is he doesn’t need them, and his parents aren’t going to stump up the money for new tap shoes. He feels angry but determined to make them his. Luckily Shelly understands. There are lots of things she wants too. Can she help Tomas learn the value of saving and working towards your goal? Are want and need the same thing? What exactly is delayed gratification, and does it matter in many areas of our lives? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – meeting a group of political worker worms, Shelly going mad telling us everything she wants in the world and tap dancing galore. Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and someone who wants everything NOW, but needs to learn to wait! Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  This episode contains a trailer for Koala Moon   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daphne love, love, loves Greek mythology! The problem is this makes her feel unusual, different from her friends. When her teacher tells the class that this term they'll be studying The Greeks, she doesn't know what to do. She doesn't want to stand out, BUT she can't bear to hold in all the ideas and stories, swirling in her brain. Fortuitously, Shelly can help with this one! She's been called all sorts of names in her life - weirdo, crackpot, eccentric, odd! Can Shelly help Daphne step out of the chorus, into the spotlight? How does it feel to have different interests from your friends? Could uniqueness really be superpower? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – an air-guitar teaching heron, singing a classic 90's track, a low budget re-enactment of the original Olympic Games and a garden party that EVERYONE is invited to! Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and that AI robot who is taking over your home. With thanks to Ian Dench for playing Hal the Heron and Margo, Tilly and Etta for their roles as Starlings. Extra thanks to EMF, Kobalt and BMG for the use of the song Unbelievable.   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  This episode contains a trailer for Armchair Adventures Armchair Adventures is a super-fun adventure series for kids aged 6-10. Join Connie and her gang of explorers for a new adventure every episode. Using your imagination, you’ll visit magical places, meet extraordinary people and learn a thing or two along the way. It’s jam-packed full of singing and move-along fun. It's perfect for playtime, those gloomy rainy days, boring car journeys, and even round at your grannys! New episodes are released fortnightly.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neema doesn’t want to help out at home, she just wants to rollerblade. Who can blame her, chores are boring, right? Things come to a head with her dad. He thinks helping out is exactly what she should be doing. Thankfully Shelly is on hand to assist Neema, as she works through this contentious family issue. Utilizing songs and chat, Shelly tries to show Neema that helping out matters. Why is it important that everyone works as a team in a family? Are there lessons to be learnt from doing basic household tasks? How can ‘helping out’ make you feel? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – harried and harassed worker bees, a pair of antipodean-former-clubbing-twin-owls, a catchy tune extolling the virtues of teamwork.    Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and everyone you see while hiking the mountain you decided to hike.   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!      Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonnie is sooooo bored. It’s the summer holidays and she is fed up with her parents’ vague suggestions of things to do while they work. Why are parents so annoying? She heads out to the garden, only to find Shelly ready to offer wisdom about the ‘gift’ of boredom. Can Bonnie make sense of this puzzling advice? Is it ok to be bored? Can boredom take you to places you never imagined? Listen to find out.    Highlights include – the divorcee frogs singing a song about boredom (which is anything but boring), a magical bug hotel and Shelly confessing to doing something dangerous with cheese.   Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and the doctor’s receptionist, who asks you if you’ve listened to any good podcasts, while scrolling endlessly to see if there are any available appointments!   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poor Alonso feels all by himself. He has two teenage stepsisters, who are not always at his house.  Even when they are, he finds he’s still lonely. Shelly knows all about loneliness – most molluscs do. She and her friends in the garden (a hippy snail collective and Queen Bee Bernadette) are ready and waiting to help. They have a few ideas to bring Alonso out of his lonely shell. Why might one feel lonely? What can we do when we feel that way? Can we experience loneliness, even when we are surrounded by people? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – Queen Bee Bernadette and her choir of bees, slithering snails who work the cabbage patch and the reappearance of a character from series 1.   Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  Shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and a local beekeeper, who needs to leave the bees to it sometimes and diversify their own interests, by listening to a podcast.   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clover is feeling impatient and frustrated.  Being the youngest in the family means she often has to wait and well, quite frankly, she is fed up. When she finds out that her dad has forgotten to put her on the list for after-school Coding Club, this is the ‘cherry on the cake’ of frustration. She storms out to the communal garden. Thankfully, Shelly is waiting to talk through these uncomfortable feelings and impart some advice. What should you do when you feel impatient?  How do you make frustration feel, well less frustrating? Can you choose how to respond to tricky feelings? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – two animals in 50’s prom dresses, a crowning; the coronation of a Queen and some much needed deep breathing.   Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  Shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues, and the local sports commentator who does everything double-time and sometimes needs to be reminded to… slow down!   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oops, Renée has made a mistake! She has had an accident and broken an object that belongs to her new friend Leah. Oh dear, and things were going so well with this blossoming friendship. Shelly is on hand to help. She knows ALL about accidents, as she has had quite a few herself! Her trusty band of divorcee frogs are on hand to help. Gradually Renée realises that she has to face up to what she’s done. She must confront her fears and find the power that ‘sorry’ (when used correctly) can have. Have you ever had to say sorry? Have you managed to say it with empathy? What IS empathy? Listen to find out.   Highlights include – the song ‘Oops, I made a whoopsie’, a cat called Muffin and LOTS of Welsh accents!   Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  Shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and anyone who likes to dress up in historical costume, like Queen Elizabeth I for example.   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samson can’t sleep. He has ‘going to bed dread’. He just can’t get comfortable, and he can’t relax his mind. Sleep, which used to be easy, has suddenly become hard. He’s feeling tired all the time and struggling to find the energy to do the things he normally does with ease. Join him and Shelly in this short, gentle, sleep-time story. Shelly just LOVES sleep! She has loads of tips and ideas to help Samson find the deep rest he so craves. What happens when we sleep? Why is it so important? Does sleep just happen, or do you have to work for it? Listen to find out.      Highlights include - harmonising hedgehogs, ‘Sleep’ talking and a melodious lullaby from the compost-heap.    Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and not forgetting the tired-looking Optician, who says your eyes are a bit dry but looks like they could do with some shut-eye themselves.   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margarita has had a disagreement with her best friend Lina. It’s about a collaborative project; artistic differences (well, we’ve all been there) and Margarita doesn’t know what to do.  Her emotions are all in a spin. Arguing with friends feels so hard. Shelly steps in to offer her advice, but it soon becomes clear that she has unresolved friendship issues of her own. Can they both find a way to restore harmony in their friendships? How do you make peace after an argument? Can you still be friends if you disagree? Listen to find out.    Highlights include – best-friend-babies doing womb somersaults, a flamenco dancing tortoise and an unexpected dazzling duet.    Let us know what you think [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and a podcast listening show-off in your life, who you’d secretly like to duet with.   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barnaby loves to sing. The problem is Barnaby can’t sing, well he can’t yet. His voice is loud and untuneful.  How unfortunate that his year group at school are expected to sing at a very special and important performance. The whole situation is very uncomfortable for him. Luckily, Shelly is on hand to work through the complexities of not being very good at something, an issue we all have to face at one point or another in our lives. Is it ok to be bad at something and still do it? Can we get better at things? How can we play to our natural strengths in life? Listen to find out.    Highlights include – an epic feel-good choral number, an awkward singing head teacher and parakeet punk band.    Let us know what you think  [email protected]   Follow our Instagram to keep up to date on all Shelly and the Can-Do Kids goings on:  shellyandthecandokids   If you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues and the unfriendly dog-walker who is always listening to podcasts when stomping in the park and never says ‘hi’.   Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm   With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.    *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children.   *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kasia has told a lie and it has put her in a pickle. She didn’t really mean to, it just came out. Now she feels awful that she said something that isn’t true. She struggles to know why she did it, or more pressingly, how to get out of this mess. Luckily Shelly is on standby to help her figure out a way to face up to her lie (and she should know, she’s told a few porkies herself). How will Kasia repair the situation and do the 'right thing'? Can she find a way to dig herself out of the hole her lie has created? Are all lies bad? Listen to find out. Highlights include- Maths maestro Mr. King, the Year 6 leavers show, an audio montage that covers 6 weeks in less than 2 minutes, and a lot of Drama enthusiasts - " EVERYTHING IS DRAMA!" Let us know what you think [email protected] Follow our Instagram to keep up to date with Shelly and the Can-Do Kids shellyandthecandokids And of course, if you loved today’s story, share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues, community of parents and the dentist who is always asking you questions about what you’re listening to, when you have your mouth open and can’t talk.  Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.  *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children. *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT WARNING -This episode contains discussion of divorce. We realise this can look very different for different families. This episode is focused on the theme of change. It explores ways in which the character might approach some of the difficulties change brings.   Joel is going through an upheaval. His parents have just announced their divorce and his life is about to change a lot. He is full of questions, uncertainty and upset. Shelly brings her usual mix of zaniness and sensitivity to help Joel navigate the chaos the change has brought into his life. How will Joel ever feel comfortable having to live in two houses? How do you cope when life throws change your way? Can Joel see change sometimes brings silver linings? Listen to find out. Highlights include – the re-appearance of Shelly's band of divorcee frogs, an exciting science project, and a risky performance on a balcony. Let us know what you think [email protected] Follow our Instagram to keep up to date with Shelly and the Can-Do Kids shellyandthecandokids And of course, if you loved today’s story share it with your friends, neighbours, colleagues, community of parents and your favourite teacher at school, who asked you for podcast recommendations, when she should've been listening to the headteacher’s introduction at the summer show.  Performed and written by Josie & Jemma @shellyandthecandokids Edited by @benjamincuts Backing music sourced from the wonderful @artlist.io Shelly artwork @efabm With thanks to and in memory of Chris Stuart who wrote our opening number.  *These stories are meant to be light-hearted. We are not child psychologists, so always find qualified sources of information/support for your children. *All swear words from our unqualified (in everything but showing-off) tortoise beeped!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.