Sesame Workshop Expands Initiative to Help Parents and Children with Coronavirus Anxiety

Animations featuring your child's favorite Sesame characters will demonstrate coping mechanisms and more.

By Jacqueline Neber December 7, 2020

Sesame Workshop unveiled its Caring for Each Other Initiative in March as a response to the unprecedented uncertainty families are facing right now. The organization has built upon CfO to include animations on healthy habits, resources providing comfort, and activities that parents can use to help kids learn reading, math, science, and more, according to Sesame. These resources all aim to help families ease coronavirus anxiety and continue to learn and grow during social distancing. The animations will be available in 18 languages and will include some of kids' favorite characters. The Muppets and their friends are spending time with family and connecting with friends virtually, just like your family!

“Sesame Street is there for children and families whether it’s a sunny day or a stormy one, and unfortunately many families are facing unprecedented challenges right now,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president of US Social Impact, Sesame Workshop. “Through Caring for Each Other, we’re committed to supporting families for the duration of this crisis and beyond—equipping them with the tools they need to get through this together and look to the future with hope and optimism.”

Additional tools you can find through Caring for Each Other include more anxiety coping strategies, kid-friendly explanations to tough questions, and ways to help the whole family stay healthy—and self care tips for you. You can also sign up to receive a weekly guide to new Sesame activities and strategies right in your inbox.

“As families around the world adjust to their new realities, parents and caregivers are looking for help in creating new routines, staying healthy, and fostering learning at home while little ones are out of school,” said Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, senior vice president of curriculum and content. “At Sesame Workshop, we’re here to support the caring adults in children’s lives as they help their children navigate these challenging times.”

April is Autism Awareness Month (and April 2 is Autism Acceptance Day), and Sesame Street is expanding its Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative with all-new videos of Julia, a 4-year-old who has autism, a new episode, and resources that will help parents ease coronavirus anxiety specifically for their children with special needs. Resources include language and strategies for providing comfort, creating routines, and staying physically and psychologically healthy as a family, according to Sesame Street. New articles and printable activities aim to help kids accept the changed that have piled up recently.

“We’re proud to mark Autism Acceptance Day by celebrating the amazing in every child and continuing our commitment to autistic children and their families,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president of US Social Impact at Sesame Workshop. “Especially during these uncertain times, Sesame Workshop is here to support families with the tools they need to navigate everyday moments as well as the challenges that come their way.”

To find resources and videos for your child with autism, as well as learn more about the See Amazing initiative, head to the Sesame website.

Main Image: "Washy Wash," one of the Caring for Each Other videos. Courtesy Sesame Street