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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Homeland Security Goes To Sesame Street |
| 2008-09-21 |
| It may seem like an unlikely pairing, but the fun-loving furry Muppets on Sesame Street are partnering with the Department of Homeland Security to teach kids as young as 3-years-old how to proceed should a terrorist attack, hurricane, or other potential catastrophe occur. For the times it's not a sunny day in the neighborhood, Sesame Street wants its pupils prepared, reports CBS station WCBS-TV in New York City. "An emergency is something that happens that you do not expect," warns a helmet-wearing Grover at the beginning of a new DVD and information package aimed at young children. Officials hope children will learn how to respond should a major event occur. "This way they're aware something unexpected can happen and there's ways to prepare for it," says Jeanette Betancourt, the Education Director of Sesame Workshop. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 stressed the need for a child's psychological protection, while family separation during Hurricane Katrina taught the need to know names other than mommy and daddy. On the DVD, the familiar and friendly faces of the Muppets sing about first names, last names, emergency kits, the neighborhood's helpers, and -- with Grover as the intrepid reporter -- what to know in case of an emergency. Helping with the kid-friendly message were experts with Weill Cornell Medical College's pediatrics department. "They can memorize their own address and phone number so someone knows how to get a hold of them and then we focused on parents and saying what they can do," says Dr. Mary Jo Ward, a Developmental Psychologist at the college. The push came from what kids didn't know. Developers of the package say almost 2 out of 3 families don't have an emergency plan everyone is aware of. Parents are happy to add this to their collection. "I guess if you can watch it on a DVD they might pay more attention," says parent Julie Koontz. Adds Jennifer Friedman, another parent who agrees with Koontz: "It's something the parents can use to stimulate conversation." A conversation helped by characters that children trust. "It's made from the child's point of view, it's fun. It's not only not threatening, but it's also a way to enjoy it over and over and over," says Betancourt. Too much time + Too much money == ? |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #4 "Too much time + Too much money == ?" You and Procopius2k have not been on the wrong side of disaster? Or perhaps you've both forgotten what happens when things go kablooie. Or perhaps you're counting on the parent(s) to do it? May I counsel you that that final sentiment doesn't necessarily work? And that the primary recipient of kids not knowing what to do will be the government responders? My question is why hadn't this hadn't been done five or six years ago. |
| Posted by: Milton Fandango 2008-09-21 22:35 |
| #3 TW is exactly right. My extended family lives in Louisiana and Texas, and go through hurricanes, tornadoes, and just plain thunderstorms regularly. They also experienced the total disorganization that occurred during the Katrina evacuation. It's easy for a family to get separated, and tough to reunite them if you don't have a last name, telephone number, or street address. Good on Sesame Street to do this - those familiar characters will take some of the dread out of what would otherwise be a somber and frightening experience. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-09-21 19:39 |
| #2 This is important. As soon as each of the trailing daughters was truly talking, I taught her a little song with her full name, street address, town and country. We lived in Germany when I started this, so I taught it to them in the local language. When we moved to Belgium I taught them the new address in English, because the Belgians become so upset if addressed in the wrong language, whether French or Flemish. This gave the tds confidence that they would be ok if they got lost or separated from their adults, and I no longer needed to worry that when turned in to the police they would have answers beyond, "My name is trailing, I live with Mommy and Daddy at home." |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-09-21 18:43 |
| #1 Too much time + Too much money == Congress |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-09-21 11:22 |