My preschooler loves watching Sesame Street, but honestly, the summer reruns are killing me. Seriously, if I have to hear Telly Monster lament about his missing triangle one more time I may reconsider Dish Network’s recent offer to hook me up with cheap satellite TV.
Fortunately, I may not have to dig deep to preserve my sanity. Yesterday, the folks who produce Sesame Street announced that new episodes of the Emmy Award-winning children’s show will begin airing next month.
What’s more, the new season includes a special show dedicated to the economy. If you haven’t already discussed the current financial crisis with your kids, then you are in luck. The good folks at Sesame Street are once again coming to the rescue of moms and dads who struggle to discuss serious and sometimes scary subjects with their youngsters.
“Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times” features the entire Sesame Street gang offering strategies and ideas to help kids feel secure during these tough economic times. It’s aimed at kids between the ages of two and eight, and is hosted by the “Today” show’s Al Roker and his wife Deborah Roberts. The special primetime episode is scheduled to air at 8 pm on September 9th.
The special features multiple segments, including one in which Elmo discovers that his mom has lost her job. The bad news is used as a conversation starter in the monster family. Elmo’s parents explain to him that things are going to be “different” now that mommy doesn’t have a job. Elmo’s dad lists some changes that will have to be made in order for the family to make ends meet. For example, Elmo might have to start renting videos from the library instead of going to the movies, and going out to eat on a weekly basis will no longer be a part of the monster family’s routine.
Other segments feature real families, such as a child whose father lost his job as an engineer at a car company in Detroit. Another segment profiles a family with six kids struggling to keep their house. To make ends meet the children have turned to selling hand painted t-shirts in the hopes of bringing in some much needed cash.
If you are desperately trying to keep your head above water in these tough times, or if you have friends that are, watching the Sesame Street special can help your kids make sense of the confusing issues associated with the current economic climate.
Will you be watching?
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