Sesame Studios
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Sesame Studios
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sesame Studios is a YouTube channel from the creators of Sesame Street. Notably absent are the Muppet characters who helped make the classic preschool show a staple in kids' media, but the Sesame influence is strong nonetheless. The shorts use diverse animation styles to illustrate quality concepts that promote prereading skills, interpersonal relationships, and personal health, among other topics. Kids will especially like the outgoing host, Marvie, but parents will want to monitor their kids while they watch, as Marvie ends every episode with reminders to subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow the show on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.
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What's the Story?
SESAME STUDIOS is a series of shorts hosted by a gregarious, oval-shaped being named Marvie, who welcomes viewers into her room and entertains them with songs, poems, and artwork. Much like Sesame Street, diverse characters and animation styles combine to create episodes that teach kids life skills, reinforce early learning skills, and get them moving through inspiring music and dance routines.
Is It Any Good?
At first blush, the idea of a Sesame production without a single Muppet character is a little jarring, but Marvie and the new Sesame crew are their own brand of awesome. She's the perfect introduction to this energetic, vibrant series, and the minutes-long episodes are a boon rather than a detriment to the show's appeal. They're like a sweet treat that satisfies with just one bite, which is great if you're working within screen-time limits.
Unlike that sweet treat, though, Sesame Studios packs some serious quality into this production with content that does well by young kids. The songs and stories are far from frivolous; they focus on valuable concepts such as being thankful for your family, taking care of health, and staying active. With a variety of animation and content, this fun series always has something new to offer viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Sesame Studios teaches viewers. How can young kids learn about character? What was the theme of today's episode? How do the characters illustrate that theme? Was there a learning component to it?
Kids: What makes Marvie a good hostess? If you invited guests to your house, what could you do to be welcoming to them? What does it mean that actions speak louder than words? How do your actions reflect the person you are?
Kids: What are your family's rules for screen time? Are you allowed to use the internet without supervision? How do these rules help keep you safe?
How does Sesame Studios promote communication and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 6, 2016
- Network: YouTube
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Communication, Empathy
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: February 6, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
-
Sesame Street
Classic show endures changes, but learning content remains.
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Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Classic series gently promotes social skills, imagination.
-
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Excellent lessons from Mister Rogers' next generation.
For kids who love Sesame Street
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