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Hey there, smarty pants. Trusty narrator here. Back with another episode of SmartYQ where I answer your curious, clever, sometimes surprising questions about how the world works. We've got six great ones today, so let's get smarty. Question one comes from my smarty friend Samuel on Spotify, who asks, why do dogs love dog toys? Squeak. Squeak. Dogs love toys for a few different reasons, and it all goes back to their natural instincts. First, many dog toys are designed to squeak, which sounds like the kinds of small animals dogs love to hunt and chase. If you've ever seen the way your dog looks at a squirrel, you know what I mean? Dog toys also tend to bounce or move in unpredictable ways that triggers a dog's natural hunting instincts. And even though they're playing, their brains think, hey, look, I caught something. Second, chewing feels good to dogs. It helps relieve boredom, reduce stress, and keep their jaws strong. Some toys also smell like food or have treats inside, which makes them extra exciting. And finally, toys can feel comforting. For some dogs, a favorite toy is like a security blanket, something familiar that helps them feel safe and happy. So whether they're chasing, chewing, or cuddling them, dog toys are fun, soothing, and instinct approved. Okay, question two comes from Ozzy in Los Angeles, who wants to know, where and when was school invented? Ah, yes, school. Well, as an idea, school is very old, way older than backpacks and lunchboxes. Some of the earliest schools appeared over 4,000 years ago in places like ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Back then, schools were mostly for training scribes, people who learned how to read, write and keep records. Lessons focused on things like math, writing and laws. Later, in ancient Greece, schools expanded to include philosophy, science, music and physical training. Teachers like Plato and Aristotle helped shape the idea that learning should teach you how to think, not just what to memorize. Over time, schooling spread around the world and slowly became something kids of all backgrounds could attend. So modern school is really the result of thousands of years of humans saying, hey, it's important to pass knowledge along. Alright. Question three comes from Declan in Wesley Chapel, Florida, who asks, what is the oldest tree alive? Well, if you heard our who smarted Episode on trees, you might remember that the oldest known living tree is nicknamed Methuselah. Methuselah is a type of pine called a bristlecone pine and is thought to be over 4800 years old, meaning it started growing before the pyramids were even built. Alright, SmartyPants, we've answered three great questions so far, but coming up next is one about something you hear every single day. Even when you're not listening. And we'll get to that right after a quick break and a word from our sponsors. Spring is here and if you're a homeschool family trying to finish the year strong, I want to tell you about ixl. It's the award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into your homeschool routine covering math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. What I love most about IXL is how it adapts to each child's pace. Whether your kid needs to reinforce foundational skills before an assessment or push ahead into new material, IXL meets them exactly where they are with no pressure and real encouragement built right in. Kids earn rewards, see their own progress, and actually feel good about learning. And for parents, the real time progress tracking is a game changer. You always know exactly where your child stands. Plus, it makes learning fun. And you know I love that over 15 million students use IXL and it's proven to improve achievement in all 50 states. So make an impact on on your child's learning. Who Smarted Listeners get an exclusive 20% off@ixl.com smarted that's ixl.com smarted for your 20% off. As the trusty narrator, I've taken the smarty pants on countless adventures. I'll do anything for the fans, but off mic I prefer to keep my adventures in the safe space of my own backyard. However, even a homebody like me can't avoid the unexpected chaos that comes with family life. Take last week, for example. My niece was staying with me when she came down with a nasty cold in the middle of the night. I couldn't leave her alone to get medicine. And that's when I remembered doordash is there for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. With a few taps on my phone, I had cough syrup and tissues delivered right to my door. Doordash sent saved the night, and my niece was back to her energetic self in no time. Oh, and did I order a little ice cream for myself? Yes, I did. And doordash brought it right to my door. So while I may not be the biggest fan of real life adventures, I'm grateful that doordash is always there to help me navigate life's little emergencies. When life happens, get a little order delivered with doordash order now. Now back to Smarty Q. Question four comes from smarty fan Ignacio, who lives in Bethesda, Maryland. He wants to know, what is sound made of? Well, Ignacio, sound is made up of vibrations. When something vibrates Like a guitar string, a drum, or someone's vocal cords, it pushes the air around it. Those pushes create sound waves which travel through the air to your ears. When the waves reach your ears, your brain turns them into sounds, like music, voices or noise. Of course, sound needs something to travel through, like air, water, or solid objects. That's why sound can't travel through empty space. No air, no vibrations, no sound. Ok, Question five comes from Lily on Spotify, who asks, why do we need to learn how to swim? Great question, Lily. Learning how to swim is important for a few big reasons. First, safety. Water is fun, but it can also be dangerous. Knowing how to float, movement, move and stay calm in water can help keep you safe around pools, lakes, rivers and oceans. Second, swimming is great exercise. It works your muscles, helps your heart, and is easy on your joints. And third, swimming opens up opportunities for fun. From playing in pools to snorkeling or surfing, swimming lets you enjoy the water instead of fearing it. Learning to swim isn't just about strokes. It's about confidence, safety and freedom. All right, smartypants, we've got one final question left, and it's all about the future of our planet. We'll get to that right after this quick break and a word from our sponsors. Okay, last question of the day. This one comes from Frances and Grandma Mary in Toronto, Canada, who ask, what will the Earth be like in 100 years? Great question. The truth is, no one knows exactly what Earth will be like in 100 years, but scientists can make educated guesses. Some likely changes new technologies that change how we travel, work and communicate. Cleaner energy sources like solar and wind becoming more common. Cities that are smarter, greener and more efficient. The climate may look different too, which is why scientists work so hard to understand Earth now, so people can make choices that protect it for the future. One important thing to the future of Earth is not already decided. What it's like in 100 years depends on what people, just like all of you smartypants, choose to do today. And that's all for this episode of SmartYQ. If you've got a question you're curious about, have your adults help you. Email it to me@whosmartedhoosmarted.com and you might hear it answered on a future episode. Until next time, keep on smarting. Too smart and.
Episode Title: SMARTY Q: Why do dogs love dog toys???
Podcast: Who Smarted?
Host: Trusty Narrator (Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media)
Date: March 3, 2026
This episode of "Who Smarted?" is another installment of the audience-favorite "SMARTY Q," in which the Trusty Narrator answers curious questions sent in by kids from around the world. The main theme of this episode is curiosity-driven learning, as the narrator tackles six fun and wide-ranging questions about dogs, the history of school, trees, the science of sound, swimming, and predictions for Earth’s future. The show blends kid-friendly humor, accessible explanations, and memorable facts, making science and learning engaging for all ages.
[00:07–01:40]
"If you've ever seen the way your dog looks at a squirrel, you know what I mean!"
— Trusty Narrator [00:21]
Summary Tone: Lighthearted with fun sound effects ("Squeak. Squeak.") to keep kids engaged.
[01:41–03:00]
"So modern school is really the result of thousands of years of humans saying, hey, it's important to pass knowledge along."
— Trusty Narrator [02:53]
[03:01–03:32]
[06:07–07:05]
"That's why sound can't travel through empty space. No air, no vibrations, no sound."
— Trusty Narrator [07:00]
[07:06–08:00]
"Learning to swim isn't just about strokes. It's about confidence, safety and freedom."
— Trusty Narrator [07:55]
[09:15–10:21]
"What it’s like in 100 years depends on what people, just like all of you smartypants, choose to do today."
— Trusty Narrator [10:15]
This episode delivers concise, energetic answers to questions that spark curiosity in young listeners. The Trusty Narrator weaves together historical facts, scientific explanations, and positive life lessons using kid-friendly language, memorable analogies, and humor. Each question is answered clearly but engagingly, perfectly balancing education and entertainment in a way that both children and adults can appreciate.