KidCasting at The Capitol

Children's Week at the Capitol

Every year during Florida’s Regular Legislative Session, advocates, lawmakers, parents, educators, and children from all over the state gather in Tallahassee for Children’s Week at the Capitol. The Capitol Rotunda is decorated with tens of thousands of pieces of hand artwork from children in early learning programs and elementary schools across Florida–a visual reminder to our elected officials to think of children when they vote.

We were busy this year on Children’s Day, which was celebrated on Tuesday, April 15. 

  • We hosted a ReadingPals booth outside in Storybook Village, with a special reading of Animal Boogie and fun crafting activities.
  • We gathered parents, educators, and early learning advocates for meetings with elected officials, future-focused discussions on policy change, and a deep dive into state-level data for early childhood issues.
  • Inside the Rotunda, we hosted our inaugural KidCast at the Capitol: 6- and 7-year-old students from Brownsville Preparatory Academy in Tallahassee interviewed state leaders about their work and what it takes to make Florida better for all children. 

Below are this year’s interviews with elected officials, former legislators, state leaders, and advocates. (You can also watch all of these via our Kidcasting at the Capitol 2025 playlist on YouTube).

Learn about Legislative Session 2025

KidCast Archive 2025

Interview with Representative Robin Bartleman

Interview with Senator Colleen Burton

Interview with Senator Alexis Calatayud

Interview with Representative Jennifer Canady

Interview with Representative Fentrice Driskell

Interview with Representative Anna V. Eskamani

Interview with Representative Gallop Franklin II

Interview with Representative Christine Hunschofsky

Interview with Representative Johanna López

Interview with Senator Corey Simon

Interview with Representative Susan L. Valdés

Interview with Loranne Ausley

Interview with Vance Aloupis

Interview with the Honorable Oliver G. Gilbert, III

Interview with Dr. Eric Hall

Interview with Luzed Cruz

Interview with Dr. Lourdes Q. Forster

Interview with Rachel Giannini

Interview with DJ Lebo

Interview with Dr. Sharon Miller

Interview with Erin Smeltzer