Turns outSesame Street‘s Big Bird, Elmo, Bert, Ernie, Count von Count, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch are doing a lot more than just entertaining kids.
According to a January 2019 study published in theAmerican Economic Journal: Applied Economics,the beloved educational television series actually helps improve school performance for children exposed to it before age 7 — particularly if they’re male — and even has long-term positive outcomes for its viewers, in both the education system and the workforce.
Everett
The large-scale examination found that “Sesame Street‘s introduction generated a positive impact on educational outcomes through the early school years.”
Specifically, thosewith higher exposure to the programwere “14 percent more likely to be attending the grade that is appropriate for their age in middle and high school years.”
“Furthermore, the data indicate positive effects for both boys and girls, with larger point estimates for boys,” the study read. “The data also indicate positive effects for all three race/ethnic groups considered, with larger point estimates for blacks and Hispanics than for white non-Hispanics.”
Zach Hyman
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Sesame Streetpremiered in November 1969, with a goal to help reduce educational deficits of disadvantaged youth. It aired on public television’s PBS throughout its debut before moving to HBO in January 2016.
As of 2018,Sesame Streethas won 189Emmy Awardsand 11Grammy Awards— more than any other children’s television series.
source: people.com
