In celebration of the upcoming 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street” (November 10), one of the most beloved children’s TV shows in history, Beliefnet staff members share the lessons they learned that have stayed with them throughout the years.
“When I’m Itchy, I Scratch”
Among the many memorable songs that were sing-in-the-backseat-of-the-car staples of my childhood is the growly, slow, completely frank number “When I’m Itchy, I Scratch.”
The images on the screen were of bison and other big beasts scritching and scratching their backs against trees and rocks, and the lyrics preached an utterly animalistic sort of common sense. “When I’m hungry, I eat. When I’m thirsty, I drink. I get my fires lit up with a match, and when I’m itchy, I scratch.”
Looking at it one way, I suppose the song could be read as the case against self-control, doing exactly what you want when you want it. But I think the song has more to do with the virtues of instinct, the simple categories of needs that we all need to meet–but not exceed. So if you’ll excuse me, I have to go look for a scratch-worthy tree…
–Holly Lebowitz Rossi, Health editor and Fresh Living blogger
“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Dooo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo do do”
When I was about 3 I was taught to count to 12 by a trippy-groovy singing pinball machine. I’d dance around the room in feety pajamas, singing at the top of my lungs.
–Jenn Sturiale, Product Manager
The Lovable Oscar the Grouch
I loved “Sesame Street” growing up and would often watch it about 2 inches from the TV set with my younger brother and sister (which explains my horrible vision) because I wanted to be as close to my friends on the show as possible–maybe even warp through the screen for a visit.
My favorite character was Oscar the Grouch, mainly because he reminded me a lot of my dad–a gruff and grumpy Brooklyn-born man with a warm heart–but also because I really wanted to jump into his garbage can and see his digs. I just knew there was a whole world in that can and I wanted to explore it.
But overall, Oscar taught me a lot about not judging a book by its cover. Sure he was a grouch, but when a child needed help or advice he was always around, proving there was love and compassion underneath that dirty green fur.
–Dena Ross, Entertainment Editor
Embrace and Celebrate Diversity
During the late ’70s to early ’80s when I grew up watching “Sesame Street,” there was no other show for kids on TV that represented such a rainbow of colors, languages, faiths and cultures. And not only were the people diverse, but the puppets were too! I applaud the show’s producers for being so progressive in reflecting the diversity of the U.S. population in their programming. I think this is an important lesson for a child’s developing mind.
–Qiana Mestrich, Search Engine Marketing Manager
Learning and Music
Gosh, having been around basically as long as the show, it’s hard to boil it down to a single lesson or memory. Sesame Street is definitely a backdrop for my whole young life (and now my life as a mom).
I’d say the combination of learning and music has been pretty powerful for me. The idea that lessons can be taught while singing, dancing and generally being silly has followed me through my life and impacted the way I approach many things.
–Naomi Naughton, Community Manager
Learning to Speak
Sesame Street helped my son say his first complete sentence. He was a late talker and spoke unclearly because of an articulation problem. But one day around age 2 1/2 he came out with “Sesame Street is a production of the Children’s Television Workshop!” Of course, it didn’t sound like that, but after he repeated it a few times, I understood it from the rhythm and said it back to him. His face lit up with joy, and his talking improved from that day on.
–Wendy Schuman, Special Projects Editor
The Impact of the Songs
As much as I loved the show and watched it regularly, my biggest lasting memory was not from TV but from a “Sesame Street” record I had as a kid. Two songs stand out: Big Bird singing a song in which he sees the alphabet written out and mistakes it for one huge word, and tries pronouncing it, deciding it is “the most remarkable word I’ve ever seen.” The song got little me thinking about letters and words and how they come together–perhaps not a direct spur to become a professional journalist, but maybe a factor.
The other one was Kermit’s “It’s Not Easy Being Green.” To any kid struggling with being different, or being afraid of being perceived as different, fearing being made fun of, etc.–and who hasn’t gone through this?–Kermit’s reassurance that this struggle is universal provides more comfort than you might expect from a singing sock puppet.
Now that I am a father with a daughter who watches “Sesame Street,” I see the show’s power in action. When my almost-3-year-old makes a simple observation about what she’s watching–”Zoey and Elmo sharing!”–you can see not only the delight in her eyes, but the seeds being planted of life lessons that she can relate to in her own way, on her own level.
–Michael Kress, Managing Editor and VP, Editorial
Friendship is Forever
My older sister has always been my best friend. Well almost always. But when we were growing up, I worshipped her. Her name starts with an E and my name starts with a B and we shared a bedroom. We always thought of ourselves as Ernie and Bert because they were there for each other through thick and thin. As adults, she has recently moved to my home town, and while we no longer have twin beds in the same room, she is still my best friend and teaches me so much.
–Beth Ann Eason, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer
Magical New York
I think that “Sesame Street” could be one of the reasons that I live in New York today. When I watched “Sesame Street” as a child, I was always a bit puzzled and fascinated by this place where people sat outside on the stoop and talked to each other, and where they just strolled down the street to Mr. Hooper’s store. I grew up in Atlanta, and people had yards, not stoops. And when you went to the store, you had to get in the car first. For a long time, I thought the “Sesame Street” style neighborhood was an imaginary, magical place that existed only on TV. Then, I grew up and discovered that magical place is called New York.
–Ansley Roan, Faiths Editor
Related Features
Elmo and the Power of Love
Grover on Marriage
‘Big Bird Is My Power Animal’
Please feel free to post your own lessons and memories in the comments box below.
posted November 4, 2009 at 3:11 pm
OMG, Sesame street.. I never thought they will show up on this fast-pacing world. Now they did, and someone is telling me I should “feel good” about it. I wouldn’t mind to say that I get addicted to sesame street way back when I was 10 years old
http://bit.ly/my-sesame-street
posted November 4, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Yes! The pinball machine! That’s always the first thing I think of when I think of Sesame Street. What a great show, though it seems to have changed a lot since my days in the late 70′s – early 80′s. Still, that’s inevitable I guess. I hope it’s still around when I have kids, that’s for sure.
posted November 5, 2009 at 12:57 pm
i grew up on sesame street-i learned alot from the show-and still sometimes enjoy it when time is available-and i do hope its still on when my child is born.
posted November 5, 2009 at 4:13 pm
sesameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee pukap ukap iofjiubgvygbsr we99998trgttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
posted November 10, 2009 at 6:11 am
Where is Kermit? He is my favorite.
posted November 10, 2009 at 8:40 am
I am a mother if 5 grown-up children now and I do know that Sesame Street was a very important part of their childhood because I made sure of it. It is one of the best things that a parent can do for their child/children. I am now a preschool teacher and I use the materials that I have acquired through the years with Elmo, Grover, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and Grover in MY class because I want this to be a part of their learning also. Thank you so much and Happy Anniversary!!!!
posted November 10, 2009 at 9:46 am
One of the vest shows for kids… all of mine watched it and the grandkids to come will watch it with Grannie. Happy Anniversary and many more to come.
posted November 10, 2009 at 10:16 am
I am too old to have benefited from Sesame Street as a child…but my now grown kids spent HOURS in front of the TV with Sesame Street. The human cast is wonderful, the muppets are adorable and very human-like, and the kids on the show are…kids. I look forward to my grandchildren’s first viewing of Sesame Street.
posted November 10, 2009 at 11:03 am
I love Sesame Street. It will never loose it’s newness and the lessons are still the same. I am 30 and grew up on it and both of my kids do too. I remember everything about snuffy and big bird being babies and be best friends through everything. I learned numberss with The Count, Elmo is my little guy and love him sooo! Who could for Bert and Ernie and Rubber Ducky your the one! Hello Zoey and all the new characters….remember the pigs!!!!! Grover, Oscar I love you too! The song is still stuck in my head……
love ya Sesame Street.
Ruth Esparza, Katie Kat, and Lilly Pie
posted November 10, 2009 at 11:05 am
I watched Sesame Street when I was little and I loved it. Little did I know that later on in life had i known that it would teach me alot of lifes important lessons. Especially in Spanish. I took up the language when i went to junior high and it helped me to learn the basics of the language. The other things that i liked about the show were some of the characters. My favorite was Elmo and I still love him till today. He is just so cute and cuddly Hes the sweetest puppet I know. My other favorite is Kermit. I will allow my own children (when I have them) to watch the show. It teaches them so much about love, and friendship. Compassion, and other life lessons. Congratulations on your 40th and may you have many more. Michelle Farrell
posted November 10, 2009 at 11:07 am
when kermit was the “frog on the street reporter” I started to imitate his voice and now I am pretty good at his voice and elmo,and the swedish chef. Seasame street produced in me imagination and continues to do so for millions of viewers of all ages. HAPPY BIRTHDAY seasame street cast and crew!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted November 10, 2009 at 11:12 am
My favorite was always Grover’s lesson with near and far. He really cracked me up. My childhood consisted of tons of Public Television shows. Sesame Street, The Electric Company and 3,2,1 Contact. Solid skills were learned from those shows, they are the reason I am such a book nerd now at 40.
posted November 10, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Elmo, Oscar and all of the gang has helped my 2 year old with numbers, colors . He knows where the Seamse Street sign is on all of the books. He just loves you guys I hope that you guys will be around when his kids grow up . Thank you for all the laughs.
posted November 10, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I must admit my perspective on Sesame Street is much different than most of the responders. You see, I was already an educator (kindergarten teacher) when Sesame Street came along. I was invited to a premier of this “controversial” program. There were concerns that children would not learn with concepts being flashed at them so rapidly. I had a very different mindset, having observed young children stop what they were doing to view commercials and then go back to their own pursuits at the commercial’s end. My young son who came along later and who was very active watched Seasme Street four times a day, sitting in his car seat which I placed in front of the tv for that purpose. This is the only thing that captured his attention in that way. In those days, we did not have video recording capabilites at my home or I would have those first shows to this day. My son learned to read well before attending school, somewhere between ages 2 and 4 (my mother recognized it long before I did) and I know the program was a great contributor to his success. I always wanted to “guest star” on Sesame Street simply because I loved it so much. Thank you and God Bless You!
posted November 10, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Just to inform you all that I’ve been watching sesame street since it
came on television, and I have to tell you that I’m 50 years old now.
It was one of the best children’s program out then, and in my opinion it still is. Everything that is out now came from that program. It
still the best if not the best of the best. God Bless you sesame
street and all of the characters that are still so very real to me.
May you all have another 40 years to go, there is still alot of young
children that need you all if it is only for 1 hour of being just a
child. How very cool you all are.
posted November 10, 2009 at 1:50 pm
my son, who is handicapped, loves sesame street still and he’s 27 years old and has been watching it all his life. His favorite is Cookie monster and I’ll bet we went through 30 of them. we were heart broken when mr Hooper died. all of my three kids have watched and will continue with their kids as well.
posted November 10, 2009 at 3:18 pm
No body can beat Rooselvelt Franklin, and the High School. That was the BEST ever. {And Love The Skin I’m In….}
posted November 10, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I remember the first time I was introduced to Sesame Street. We lived in a small town that had only one TV channel, so I had never heard of it until I visited my mother and my little brother was watching it. My young son started watching it and was hooked until he went to first grade. It was part of his morning routine and the morning was never the same if he couldn’t watch it. The funniest experience I ever had was when the Be deep pe deepee song was sung. My husband and I laughed until our sides ached at the funniness and cuteness of that song and I have never forgotten that experience.
posted November 11, 2009 at 4:58 pm
newsletter
posted November 11, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Being the youngest of 3, I was 16 and busy being a teen when I started watching. It was 1973 when I got a surprise baby brother and rediscovered the world of kids tv. I was wonderful because Mom had always fostered my imagination so the puppets have always been & will always be “real” to me. I watched it even after I moved out, through my pregnancy I was so in love with Jonathan, the cutest child I have ever seen! I swear my baby came out singing the Sesame Street songs. Eventually all of our 3 kids watched and were enthralled with the show. I know my daughter still watches as will her children! When I got to see my grandson, he also watched as did his dad, totally mesmerized! I like the older shows the best, they had more of the life lessons hidden well, not as much popular hype, but it is the best kids program out there still. My favorite characters have got to be the typewriter and Teeny Little Super Guy!! May puppets always be there for the pure joy of them. Electronics are nice, but nothing beats a puppet! Live On SS!!!!
posted November 16, 2009 at 12:10 pm
My all-time favorite has to be Grover. I used to work with a girl who called me Grover, because she said I looked just like him when he did his “near…far…” routine and was running all over the place, trying to be in two places at once. Except for the blue fur, I think I am kind of the same as Grover.