Sesame Workshop Launches Free Video Series: ‘Build A Better World’

NEW JERSEY — Helping others, working together and being kind. These are some of the important life lessons that await kids as part of a free video series from the nonprofit behind beloved children’s show “Sesame Street.”

The Sesame Workshop – in partnership with the Newark-based PSEG Foundation – recently launched a series of new videos under its “Little Neighbors: Building a Better World Together” initiative. Learn more and see available videos/resources here.

The goal? To teach kids how to “build a better world together.”

Lessons involve topics such as family, community and the environment. The new resources in English and Spanish include videos, printable activities, and articles, featuring Elmo, Abby, and other “Sesame Street” friends as they explore various aspects of community engagement:

• In "A Garden of Support", Abby, her mom, Maggie, her stepbrother, Rudy, and other Sesame Street friends work together to clean up the community garden.
• "Little Helpers, Big Helping" features Abby and Maggie helping a Twiddlebug family build a playground, to show a small gesture can make a big difference.
• In "Helping at Home, Helping the Neighborhood", Julia helps her mom, Elena, clean containers for the community center, and the whole family finds things at home to donate to the local drive.
• In “Little Neighbors Can Do Big Things”, Elmo and Abby build a birdhouse to help the street’s newest resident feel welcome.

Other resources include six printable activities: Helping and Caring, Julia’s Community Mural, Playground Helpers, Together Trail, Community Garden Clean-up, and Community Connections as well as two articles entitled “Empowering Kids to Make a Big Impact in Their Communities” and “Engaging Kids with Nature and Community: Outdoor Activities and Adventures.”

The new resources recently premiered at an event in Paterson on World Environment Day, where representatives from the PSEG Foundation and Sesame Workshop were joined by Mayor André Sayegh.

Children in attendance were treated to a special guest appearance by a familiar face: Elmo.

“We know that children are naturally curious and eager to learn about the world around them,” said Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president of U.S. social impact with Sesame Workshop.

“When we provide them with tools and resources to actively engage in their communities, we set the foundation early on to empower children as they continue to learn and grow to be kind, compassionate, and respectful of others and to make a positive difference in the world,” Betancourt said.

Rick Thigpen, PSEG senior vice president of corporate citizenship, said the organization is proud to get a chance to help children “develop environmental awareness.”

“We know that when children act on their curiosity and get excited about protecting our planet, they often become catalysts for change within their families and communities,” Thigpen said.

• See Related: New Jet Fuel Could Battle Climate Change, Oscar The Grouch Says (VIDEO)

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