Parents' Guide to

Sesame Street

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 2+

Classic show endures changes, but learning content remains.

TV PBS , Max Educational 1969
Sesame Street Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 2+

Based on 35 parent reviews

Enrique U.
Enrique U. Parent of 6, 7 and 11-year-old
April 22, 2023
age 2+

Fantastic for children

I used to watch it while inflating my Christmas, thanksgiving and Halloween inflatables. It,s very positive and we learn a lot.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
Stephan H.
Stephan H. Parent of 2-year-old
December 29, 2017
age 3+

If we are talking about the new sesame street than....... but the older one is a 5 star.

I grew up watching this show ... Most the people have been replaced with characters. They do not focus on numbers and letters like they used to... Its very dissapointing in my opinion. The older sesame street is FANTASTIC teaching toddlers numbers letters and the basics of life being a 2-4 year old. If you have the option (KODI or streaming source or go to library and rent) I suggest getting some of the older ones with the classic characters and real live children interacting with them. It is much much better.

This title has:

Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 35 parent reviews

What's the Story?

SESAME STREET is a groundbreaking preschool series that introduces and reinforces early educational skills such as letter sounds, numbers, colors, and patterns and encourages kids' curiosity about the world around them. The series is set in an urban neighborhood where longtime Muppet characters like Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch live alongside people pals. Recurring segments on each episode center on letters and numbers of the day, phonics skills, and interpersonal relationships. The show's ever-evolving curriculum also instructs kids on other issues such as healthy eating and caring for the Earth, topics that are blended into the format through a range of engaging music, dance, cultural segments, and the occasional Spanish lesson.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (35 ):
Kids say (100 ):

Still going strong after several decades, this show has long set the gold standard for preschool media by incorporating early educational and social-emotional skills into an entertaining show that even beckons to parents. Created by educators, Sesame Street capitalizes on kids' natural love of learning and celebrates diversity by exploring different cultures and incorporating both Muppet and human characters of all ages, colors, races, and physical abilities. Through the years, beloved characters have come and gone, but a few original favorites remain even today.

Parents who grew up with the classic Sesame Street style might find some of the show's changes through the years a little surprising -- including a revamped theme song, multiple visual styles, and even segments that alter the appearance of classic characters (Claymation versions of Ernie and Bert, for instance). Even more jarring to longtime viewers may be the 2015 formatting change that cuts the episode length in half and gives second billing to trademarks such as the letter and number of the day to make room for longer plot-driven stories starring the Muppet monsters and broader learning themes. It's unusual to wish for more time in a preschool show, but that's what these newer Sesame Street episodes leave you wanting.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the topics each episode of Sesame Street tackles. What did you learn about numbers and letters today? Watching with your kids will give you many creative play ideas -- try carrying a theme from the show into activities when the TV shuts off.

  • Kids: How do the show's different styles and stories help you understand the featured topics? Do the songs help you remember some of what they're trying to teach?

  • In what ways does the show reflect American culture? How do the characters represent their cultural heritages? How do the show's music, dance, and language teach you about the world's diversity?

  • Sesame Street teaches many different character strengths, especially communication and teamwork. Which characters demonstrate compassion, empathy, and gratitude? What about curiosity, courage, and perseverance? Can you think of anyone who shows humility, integrity, or self-control? Why are these character strengths so important?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate