Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute collection of sports-related lessons for preschoolers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
SESAME STREET: BE A GOOD SPORT is a collection of episodes that deal with sportsmanship and included "The Good Sport" and "Practice Makes Proud," as well as other fun segments featuring the show's cutest little monsters, Elmo (Kevin Clash), Abby (Leslie Carrara-Rudolph), and their various Muppet and human pals. The main story lines follow Elmo, as he becomes a sore loser and mean-spirited winner at Hot Potato, and then Abby, who makes Elmo magically good at basketball, even though everyone knows it's practice that makes you a great player.
Is It Any Good?
It's remarkable that the allure of Sesame Street doesn't fade for young kids. Even children already in school and past the show's target audience of preschool-age tots will enjoy the character dynamics and messages in these sporty stories. Nearly every child has played some version of Hot Potato, and the littlest of viewers will relate to Elmo's desire to be No. 1 and also Abby's sadness that her best pal is being kind of a meanie about both winning and losing.
NBA player Blake Griffin appears in one scene to discuss the meaning of the word "champion" (and to squawk like a chicken). But it's not the celeb sightings that make this DVD fun to watch -- it's the adorably funny references to Rocky and Broadway and the authentic way pre-K friendships are depicted. Whether you have a budding pro athlete or a kid who prefers Chutes and Ladders, Be a Good Sport is an ideal collection for young and active kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to be a good sport. How should you react if you win at something? What if you lose?
What are some sports you would like to learn to play? Do the episodes make you want to learn a particular game or sport?
Why do you have to practice to get better as an athlete? If you could magically be good at something, would that be fair?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 21, 2014
- Cast : Kevin Clash , Leslie Carrara , John Kennedy
- Directors : Kevin Clash , Joey Mazzarino
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship , Puppets
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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