Find our free resources at sesamestreet.org/caring

Helping Children and Families in Uncertain Times

Since the earliest days of the COVID-19 crisis, with the lives and routines of families everywhere challenged and changed, we have been there to provide support in the Sesame tradition. After all, Sesame Street and beloved friends like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster have long been a trusted source of comfort in difficult times. With our “Caring for Each Other” initiative, we aim to bring families a sense of stability and encouragement with free resources to help them learn, laugh, and cope as they navigate an ever-changing “normal.”

Something for Everyone

We’ve created a broad variety of “Caring for Each Other” content (with more being released on a steady basis), so that our tools to help families provide comfort, manage anxiety, and stay physically and mentally healthy reach as many people as possible. Animated PSAs in 41 languages have brought a kid-friendly take on the importance of hand-washing to 102 countries. Primetime TV broadcasts showed children all the ways Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, and friends learned to follow health and safety guidelines and play together from a distance, and a series of international Town Halls answer kids’ big questions about COVID-19, including information about vaccines for children. And resources featuring Julia, a Sesame Street Muppet with autism, help children on the autism spectrum deal with COVID-related changes to routines. “Caring for Each Other” is anchored by a web hub where new videos, songs, stories, and games continue to roll out so children can learn and play with Sesame Street friends whenever they like.

Looking Ahead

We’re committed to supporting children and families throughout this crisis and beyond, whatever comes their way. “Caring for Each Other” is funded by the Sesame Workshop Critical Needs Response Fund—and the initiative will continue to evolve and grow, thanks to the generosity of our partners and friends. From helping children face challenges like anxiety and grief or changing routines to giving them ways to celebrate the helpers in their neighborhoods, our materials always offer child-friendly explanations and strategies, with self-care tips for grown-ups, too. By giving families tools to help them get through challenging times, we hope that, together, we can look to sunny days ahead.