A Street for Everyone-Happy 50th Birthday Sesame Street

"Sesame Street's mission is to "create innovative, engaging content that maximizes the educational power of media to help children reach their highest potential."

  This week everyone's favorite 8' 2"yellow feathered friend, along with all his neighbors on one of the world's most famous streets, celebrates 50 years of educating kids while opening hearts and the world ...and having a lot of fun! The first episode of Sesame Street aired November 10,1969.

 via

The importance of Sesame Street in the lives of children across the globe is greater now than ever.   In a world  becoming increasingly more fractured economically and socially kids with limited to no access to the plugged in planet do have access to a place that they are always welcome, a place that is always safe, a place that cares about them and their future... Sesame Street.  Sesame Street provides all kids the start they need to succeed in the critical early learning years, but as important as a jump start for all kids is, Sesame Street is a Street that offers so much more!

  The series has not only helped kids learn their letters and numbers, but it has also held their hand through difficult times and taught them important life lessons-caring, friendship, sharing, tolerance, understanding...and coping skills-most memorably after the death of Mr. Hooper the grocer and September 11. Sesame Street has helped kids, and the adults who love them,understand and deal with the scary sides of their world from loss to illness, addiction, storms,difficult economic times, safety...while helping them know more about each other's differences and special needs-building understanding, acceptance, caring and friendship. Don't we all know some folks who could benefit from some time on Sesame Street!

Sesame Street has always been a hot destination -celebrities and personalities have stopped in to say Hi to the gang and share some fun and important lessons- including Michelle Obama who along with Elmo talked about the importance of healthy eating and gardening.

The series  is seen in over 140 countries worldwide from South Africa, where an HIV Positive character was included, to Israel where Oscar's Israeli counterpart is Moishe Oofnik, whose last name means "grouch" in Hebrew,  and in Afghanistan.

 In Egypt 's version-Alam Simsim, a strong and gutsy girl character named Khokha not only teaches the alphabet and numbers but also inspires and educates girls that they can grow up to be anything they want and she wants to be a lawyer and a doctor and an engineer when she grows up! In Bangladesh Tuktuki intends to learn to read and go to school just like the boys do!  Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor came to Sesame Street to talk to Abby Cadabby about careers.  Abby wants to be a Princess but Justice Sotomayor explains that really isn't a career  "... a career is "a job you train for, or prepare for and plan on doing for a long time...pretending to be a princess is fun, but it is definitely not a career... you can go to school and train to be a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer, and even a scientist..."  Abby decides to go for the gavel!

 

Sesame Street weaves the culture and societal concerns of each country through the characters and lessons of every episode. On Sesame Street the characters and cast reflect who we are-special, unique and a melting pot of cultures and customs and beliefs -maybe the next political candidate should come from a special neighborhood called Sesame Street!

   

Did you know...

  According to Sesame Workshop, Elmo is the only non-human to testify before Congress.
 He lobbied for more funding for music education, so that “when Elmo goes to school, there will be the instruments to play.”

-Oscar the Grouch used to be orange 

- “Bad days happen to everyone, but when one happens to you, just keep doing your best and never let a bad day make you feel bad about yourself.” — Big Bird

-Mr. Snuffleupagus has a first name--Aloysius

- All Sesame Street's main Muppets have four fingers except Cookie Monster, who has five.

Be a Fan