A calm bedtime story for kids about starting a new school year, joining a new team, and finding the courage to go for it.
Brooklyn has three big new things happening in one single week. A new grade with a new teacher. Her first Acro class. And a spot on the Maplewood Fiery Foxes soccer team, where she is the only second grader playing up with third and fourth graders.
She has the skill. What she doesn't have yet is the nerve to use it. So she passes the ball away every time it comes near, and by halftime the Fiery Foxes are losing, and Brooklyn is sure she is just too small for this team.
Then a small skunk in a striped referee jersey turns up beside her cleat bag with one quiet thing to say.
Tonight's lesson: you're not playing small because you're small. You're playing small because you're scared, and those are two different things.
WHAT'S INSIDE A slow, soothing sports story written for bedtime, about 15 minutes long, ending with a gentle wind-down to help kids settle and fall asleep. Made for ages 5 to 12, and for the grown-ups listening along.
Themes: confidence, courage, back to school nerves, first day of school, trying something new, being the youngest on the team, soccer, gymnastics, teamwork, effort over winning.
A special welcome to Rikki and Maggie. Thank you for being part of the Dreamtime family.
ABOUT DREAMTIME SPORTS Dreamtime Sports is a calming bedtime podcast where kids drift off to sleep through magical stories about teamwork, perseverance, and the love of the game. Every episode follows a young athlete on a dreamlike adventure where effort matters more than winning, and believing in yourself is the greatest play of all. New sleep stories for kids every week, covering soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, skiing, lacrosse, gymnastics and more.
WANT YOUR CHILD'S NAME IN AN EPISODE? Leave us a comment with their name and we'll welcome them into the Dreamtime family on an upcoming episode.
JOIN THE DREAMTIME VARSITY TEAM Members get exclusive stories, ad-free listening so the quiet never stops, a customized story for your child's birthday month, and super stories that mix your favorite sports.
Have an idea for a future story? Leave us a note in the comments.
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