In a world where over 120 million people are displaced and 1 in 6 children face conflict, the need for accessible and innovative educational solutions is more critical than ever. Sesame Workshop addresses this urgent need by bringing quality early learning to children globally through various media, including streaming videos. Recognizing the power of accessible media, Sesame Workshop has created a unique library of educational videos designed to reach children everywhere, especially those affected by crises.
This groundbreaking initiative, known as Watch, Play, Learn: Early Learning Videos, offers a collection of globally tested educational content. Alongside these videos, the Watch, Play, Learn Toolkit provides a comprehensive suite of resources for educators and practitioners. Both are meticulously crafted to deliver play-based learning experiences to young learners, paying close attention to the specific challenges faced by children in crisis and displacement situations. The full Toolkit is available through partnerships with Sesame Workshop, ensuring its effective implementation in diverse contexts.
Watch, Play, Learn: Engaging Educational Streaming Videos
The Watch, Play, Learn video series, a key component of the Play to Learn project funded by the LEGO Foundation, utilizes the beloved Sesame Street characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster to make learning fun and engaging. These animated five-minute segments, totaling 140 videos, are designed for children aged 3-8 and focus on crucial developmental areas. The videos cover math, science, and social-emotional skills, as well as essential health and safety knowledge. For a deeper understanding of the importance of media in crisis and conflict zones, explore Sesame Workshop’s Value of Media page.
Sesame Street friends Basma, Elmo, and Zoe, characters featured in Watch, Play, Learn videos.
Comprehensive Watch, Play, Learn Toolkit for Educators
To maximize the impact of the Watch, Play, Learn videos, Sesame Workshop developed the Watch, Play, Learn Toolkit. This toolkit is designed for practitioners across various sectors and offers a cohesive and adaptable package of resources to support play-based early childhood education. It empowers teachers and facilitators to seamlessly integrate Watch, Play, Learn videos into their programs. The Toolkit provides research-backed, engaging multimedia content that can effectively enrich existing curricula and enhance program quality.
The Watch, Play, Learn Toolkit includes facilitator guides and structured session plans specifically designed for the videos. Furthermore, it offers guidance and tools for crucial program planning and implementation stages, such as incorporating media and technology, adapting content to local contexts, and conducting monitoring and evaluation.
Sesame Workshop’s Watch, Play, Learn Videos and Toolkit are the result of a rigorous research-driven process, building upon the evidence and practical insights gained from Play to Learn and Watch, Play, Learn pilot programs. Explore sample resources from the Toolkit to understand its comprehensive nature.
Watch Play Learn Toolkit Overview document cover.
Social Emotional Learning Session Plan document cover.
Math Session Plan document cover.
Science Session Plan document cover.
Child Protection, Health and Safety Session Plan document cover.
Facilitator Guidance for Using Multi-media to Advance Disability Inclusion document cover excerpt.
Watch Play Learn Technology Guidance Excerpt document cover.
Watch Play Learn Standard Operating Procedure Excerpt (Roles and Responsibilities) document cover.
Contextualizing Watch, Play, Learn Excerpt document cover.
Freely Available Public Resources for Facilitators
Recognizing the need for accessible resources, Sesame Workshop provides public access to select materials. The Social Emotional Learning Sample Session Booklet, a valuable excerpt from the full Watch, Play, Learn Toolkit, is available for free use. Practitioners can easily integrate Watch, Play, Learn videos focused on social emotional learning into their programs using this resource. To further expand accessibility, this booklet is available in English, Arabic, Bangla, and Spanish.
English Resources
Social Emotional Learning Sample Session Booklet – English document cover.
Emotion Flashcards – English document cover.
Arabic Resources
Social Emotional Learning Sample Session Booklet – Arabic document cover.
Emotion Flashcards – Arabic document cover.
Bangla Resources
Social Emotional Learning Sample Session Booklet – Bangla document cover.
Emotion Flashcards – Bangla document cover.
Spanish Resources
Social Emotional Learning Sample Session Booklet – Spanish document cover.
Emotion Flashcards – Spanish document cover.
Watch, Play, Learn Research and Implementation Insights
Sesame Workshop is committed to sharing knowledge and improving practices. Explore the research and insights gathered from the integration and use of Watch, Play, Learn videos across diverse sectors, including education, child protection, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). These resources provide valuable learnings for effective implementation.
Media Enhanced Direct Services document cover.
Case Study Remote ECD Services in Colombia document cover.
Case Study Remote-ECD Services in Ukraine document cover.
Basma and child coloring together, representing findings from global evaluation of Watch, Play, Learn pilots.
Formative Research Adaptations and Innovations document cover.
Immediate Resources for Children and Families in Crisis
For those seeking immediate support for children and families facing crises, Sesame Workshop offers a library of free, multi-language resources. These are specifically designed to provide assistance after crises or high-stress events.
Grover and a family, representing Crisis and Conflict resources.
