Sesame Workshop Helps Military Families Communicate, Connect
By Robyn Mincher, DCoE Strategic Communications on November 09, 2011
Navy Capt. Paul S. Hammer, Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) director, took the stage Nov. 5 at a Sesame Street Family Fun Day hosted at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Va., that brought together Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street and The Electric Company, DCoE and hundreds of military families.
New resources from the television series The Electric Company and Sesame Street were unveiled, including Military Families Near and Far, a bilingual website where families can post messages to loved ones, create artwork and songs, upload photos and record video greetings. The workshop also debuted the mobile app “Feel Electric!” for the iPad, iPhone and Android markets, allowing kids to express their feelings.
Hammer asked military kids in the audience one question:
“How do you feel?”
Along with Hammer, kids held up round, colorful signs that expressed their emotions.
“Today I feel—I’m going to let it out—happy and proud,” Hammer said as he held up his sign.
Sesame Workshop unveiled its latest resources for military families and children at Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall Nov. 5. Here, Abby Cadabby talks with children who attended the event about the latest mobile application available. (© 2011 Sesame Workshop photo by Evy Mages)
Military families were encouraged to express themselves in a positive way – or “let it out” at the event. Kids were treated to a special presentation from Sesame Street and The Electric Company characters with the theme “Let It Out!” as Jessica and Shock led the audience into a choreographed dance, encouraging them to communicate their feelings. Gordon and Muppet Abby Cadabby, who was perhaps the star of the day, joined onstage singing songs and speaking to kids about the uniqueness of being part of a military family. Kids enjoyed taking pictures and interacting with the characters after the performance.
“We’re getting pictures, and I’m meeting all kinds of cute, wonderful and charming little children, much like myself,” Cadabby said. “You can post the pictures on the new website!”
During the event, families experimented with the new website and app at laptop and iPad stations, played with Sesame Street toys and created arts and crafts at activity centers.
“I was talking to a little girl and she was telling me about her father in Afghanistan,” said Jessica from The Electric Company. “She said ‘I miss my daddy, so I’m going to draw him.’ I helped her draw her father. It was really sweet.”
The ongoing collaboration between DCoE and Sesame Workshop provides resources for military families, such as videos and resources that address grief, coping with changes and preparing for deployment.
“Sesame Workshop has been helping kids learn and understand really important concepts for years,” said Hammer. “The collaboration between DCoE and the workshop is built on an established, wonderful program of helping kids understand things. I think the true value of the workshop is that they know how to reach kids, while DCoE understands military families. That powerful combination can provide resources to military families they can really use."
Check out DCoE military family resources, which include adjusting to changes, helping children cope with deployments and reunions, suicide prevention and TBI information.
News Categories: Military Children, Transitions, DCoE Products, News Room, Families