September 5, 2013
In the last four years, there have been sunnier days for Sesame Street as it has extended its programing to include more scientific ideas and methods for children. An article in The New York Times, “Sesame Street Widens Its Focus,” by Elizabeth Jensen, explains that Sesame Street set a goal to introduce to its preschool audience a variety of concepts – such as math, science, and problem solving.
Each new season of “Sesame Street” starts with a curriculum, drawn up by educational consultants and a research staff, laying out concepts and ideas to be taught. The show’s writers incorporate these into scripts acted out by the beloved Muppets. The science curriculum began in 2009 with new programming that tried to capitalize on children’s natural interest in the world around them, an effort inspired by Richard Louv’s 2005 book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder,” said Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, senior vice president, curriculum and content.
Jensen continues to report that on September 24, the Sesame Workshop will unveil “a hub” on the Sesame Street website called, “Little Discoverers: Big Fun With Science, Math and More,” as well as new online games, videos, and resources for parents and teachers.
Read more about Sesame Street’s new focus here.
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