Children who watch ‘Sesame Street’ do better in school
A Children who watch “Sesame Street” are more successful in primary school. Spending an hour a day with Elmo, Big Bird and Count von Count is especially beneficial for boys, African-American youth and children from low-income families, the recent study found. They do better academically after watching the programme.
B Sesame Workshop is the non-profit educational organization standing behind Sesame Street. Their aim is to help children all over the world grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. The show runs in more than 150 countries, using the power of media and Muppets to meet children’s developmental needs with vital early education, social impact programs, and a lot of fun. Sesame Street is American educational television series for children. It appeared first in 1969. The show has been continually broadcast since its inception, making it one of the longest-running shows in American history. It is watched by almost half of all American preschool-age children.
C “Sesame Street” began on November 10, 1969, making it one of America’s longest-running TV shows. It was a big hit when it started. Estimates suggest that nearly 40% of preschool aged kids watching the show by 1971. Beloved characters like Cookie Monster and Elmo have become American icons, and many adults can still recite famous lines from the show such as “brought to you by the letter...” At present, Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, announced a major new initiative to offer help and hope to the growing number of young children across the United States who are experiencing homelessness. The initiative engages children and families with the resilient and relatable Lily, a seven-year-old Muppet whose family is staying with friends on Sesame Street after losing their home. Lily is featured in new videos, storybooks, and interactive activities for families with children ages 2 to 6, in addition to materials for the professionals who serve them, such as teachers, social workers, and healthcare providers. Sesame launched the initiative, part of its Sesame Street in Communities program, to help mitigate the impact of the trauma and stigma that result from homelessness.
D Sesame offers a variety of free, bilingual materials specifically developed to help children who are experiencing homelessness, which often involves an ongoing cycle of physical, emotional, and psychological problems. The resources were created in partnership with national experts on family homelessness. The creators want children to know that they are not alone and home is more than a house or an apartment. Home is a place connected with love.
E Even taking into account a number of other factors that influence educational success, the study found that one hour of “Sesame Street” a day made a difference to young kids in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It suggests that educational programs online could have similarly beneficial impacts today at a very small cost. Parents might not want to be so quick to tell their kids to stop watching TV, at least if “Sesame Street” is on. With proper guidance, children can learn to use television in a healthy and positive way.
Adjusted to (1)
1) Read the article and match each of the headings to a paragraph.
1 Introduction
2 Sesame aims at fight with homelessness
3 Educational TV program is broadcast in the whole world
4 Sesame Street educational impact
5 History and help of Sesame Street programme
2) Read the article and answer the questions.
1 What is Sesame Street?
2 What do we know about its history?
3 What is the social aim of this programme?
4 What has changed during the years of broadcasting?
5 How does the program influence children?
3) Explain the following words and phrases.
1 primary school
2 low-income families
3 recite famous lines
4 cycle of physical, emotional, and psychological problems
5 proper guidance
Adjusted to:
LONG, Heather. Study: Kids who watch ‘Sesame Street’ do better in school. LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL [online]. 2019 [cit. 2019-04-11].
Available at:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/ news/education/watching-sesame-street-actually-helps-kids-school
https://www.sesamestreet.org/
Answer the following questions.
Find tips and sources of information in the following links:
1 How does television influence children?
2 What are negative effects of TV on children?
3 Are there any positives?
4 Does TV affect children’s brain development?
5 How can parents regulate the time children spend watching TV?
6 How does watching TV influence school performance?
7 How often do children nowadays watch TV?
8 How much time do they spend by their PC?
9 What are attention problems?
10 How are they connected with new technologies?
