Linda Goldstein Knowlton and Linda Hawkins Costigan are co-producers and co-filmmakers of "The World According to Sesame Street," a documentary about "Sesame Street" productions around the world.
"Sesame Street" has been on the air since 1969 is currently available in 120 countries. Goldstein Knowlton and Hawkins Costigan were drawn to the idea of a "Sesame Street" documentary after hearing that a female Muppet on the Egyptian version of "Sesame Street" was successfully promoting women's literacy in the country. Interested in what other topics "Sesame Street" productions around the world were grappling with, the women spent three days researching and fund-raising before jumping on a plane to go and see for themselves.
Three years later, they put together this film that focuses on "Sesame Street" productions in Kosovo, South Africa and Bangladesh.
Goldstein Knowlton and Hawkins Costigan said they could tell us dozens of ways that "Sesame Street" changed the world, but we asked them to keep it to seven.
"Sesame Street" has been on the air since 1969 is currently available in 120 countries. Goldstein Knowlton and Hawkins Costigan were drawn to the idea of a "Sesame Street" documentary after hearing that a female Muppet on the Egyptian version of "Sesame Street" was successfully promoting women's literacy in the country. Interested in what other topics "Sesame Street" productions around the world were grappling with, the women spent three days researching and fund-raising before jumping on a plane to go and see for themselves.
Three years later, they put together this film that focuses on "Sesame Street" productions in Kosovo, South Africa and Bangladesh.
Goldstein Knowlton and Hawkins Costigan said they could tell us dozens of ways that "Sesame Street" changed the world, but we asked them to keep it to seven.
- Sesame Street" showed you can use television to teach and not just entertain. "Sesame Street" was the first time literacy and numeracy were actually taught on TV. In 1969, preschool was not a big option for people and Head Start was just starting up, so there was a big discrepancy between how prepared for school kindergartners were. "Sesame Street" was trying to level that playing field.
- It was the first kids' show to be in an urban setting and use a multiracial cast. The original cast included not only blacks and whites, but also Asians and Latinos, and it went on to include people with disabilities. Initially, some PBS stations wouldn't air "Sesame Street" because it showed black people and white people walking down the street together holding hands.
- It changed the world by using these fuzzy little Muppets to reach kids in ways that adults couldn't. Muppets have basically changed the world. There is something about a Muppet that kids can connect with and "Sesame Street" uses Muppets to teach kids all manner of things. You can talk about the world's most difficult ideas, from HIV to race relations, with Muppets.
- "Sesame Street" has changed the world by trying to bring peace and understanding in conflict and post-conflict countries. "Sesame Street" doesn't impose itself on a country. It waits to be invited somewhere before it shows up. It is still a not-for-profit business. Usually, government and nongovernmental agencies bring "Sesame Street" to a new location. For example, UNICEF plays a big part in bringing "Sesame Street" to different places. UNICEF asked "Sesame Street" to come to Kosovo to help promote tolerance.
- It teaches children how to develop a sense of play and imagination in places where play is not seen as important. In Bangladesh for example, child labor starts at 3 years old. In parts of El Salvador where there is no running water, children are responsible for collecting water. That's a lot of work running back and forth from the river. Children don't have time for play and it is not considered important. "Sesame Street" gives kids a safe place to learn and imagine.
- The show is helping to increase women's literacy in Egypt. Egyptians decide what their curriculum is and what their needs are, and they decided that they wanted to increase girls' literacy. They got Egyptian First Lady Suzanne Mubarak behind it and she helped get the broadcast deal. What they found was that not only kids that were watching — adults were watching and learning to read too.
- It changed the world by showing the commonality of the entire global community. "Sesame Street" is the most-watched television program around the world. It is seen in 120 countries and has become the gold standard and model for so many other kids' shows. It creates a common bond between kids who feel they have nothing in common with a little girl in Bangladesh. They do. And the more similarities and commonalities we find, the less likely we are to hate someone.
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