Caring for Each Other launched to help children during COVID-19

Children rely on trusted and familiar friends, whether real or screen based during times of crisis. As the world faces “unprecedented uncertainty” from the COVID-19 pandemic, Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, is offering a broad variety of free resources to help educators, children and families. 

Developed by the Sesame Workshop team, the Caring for Each Other initiative includes the familiar Muppets of Sesame Street sharing messages of love and kindness, playful learning activities and other resources which will help educators and caregivers as well as children. 

Featured resources have been developed to help caring adults to provide comfort and manage anxiety, as well as help with creating routines, fostering playful learning at home, and staying physically and mentally healthy. 

Caring for Each Other will be regularly updated to meet the needs of families as the situation evolves. As well as being available on free to air television, free on-demand episodes will be available on certain digital platforms. 

“Around the world, young children’s lives are being turned upside down, and caregivers are looking for ways to give children — and themselves — a sense of stability in this new normal,” said Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Senior Vice President for Curriculum and Content, Sesame Workshop. 

While this adjustment period is not without challenge, there are things parents and caregivers can do to face each day with optimism, she added.

As well as the Caring for Each Other, the Sesame Workshop is also creating brand new content on topics like handwashing, how to cough or sneeze properly, and how taking good care of yourself means taking good care of others, which will be available in the US and globally in a wide range of languages and released in the coming weeks.

Dr Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President for US Social Impact, at Sesame Workshop said the program “has long been a source of comfort for children and families during difficult times”. 

“While we don’t always know what to expect, we know that Sesame Street friends have the power to convey simple strategies and messages to help children and the caring adults in their lives find comfort. With Caring for Each Other, we can help families get through these uncertain times and build hope for the future.”

Additionally, over 110 free Sesame Street ebooks are available on all major ebook platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, Google Play, and Kobo.

Resources will also be distributed through a wide range of partners in the US and globally, including community providers serving vulnerable families through Sesame Street in Communities and PBS stations.

To access the Caring for Each Other resources, please see here.