Explaining Race
Elmo and his friend Wes are exploring the colors of their skin (and fur)! Wes’ dad, Elijah, explains “melanin” and how the color of our skin is an important part of who we are.
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Racial Justice
Coming Together: Celebrating Every Child’s Race, Ethnicity, and Culture!
Coming Together is a Sesame-wide initiative that helps children grow up with a healthy self-identity and sense of belonging. We’re working to create a world where all children can reach their full potential—and do so in celebration of our diverse world. Our research-based, child-centered resources include the whole family, inviting parents and caregivers, educators, and providers to help children celebrate their own race, ethnicity, and culture and become upstanders for themselves and one another.
The ABCs of Racial Literacy
Children are not born colorblind. We know that babies notice physical differences, from skin color to eye shape and hair texture. This unique set of resources provides you with language and parenting strategies to talk with your child about race and racism, as well as tools to cope with racism together as a family.
Breathe, Feel, Share
Wes learns how to cope with big feelings! After someone makes unkind comments about his curry chicken lunch, he goes to his Dad, Elijah, and his friend Abby. They help him feel better by helping him take deep breaths, say how he feels, and share what happened. Watch with your child to foster their self-identity and strengthen their cultural pride.
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Visit Sesame Street in Communities for our complete set of "ABCs of Racial Literacy" resources.
Coming Together Word of the Day
Celebrity friends join Tamir, Grover, Cookie Monster and more to learn about words like “Belonging,” “Fairness,” and “Diversity".
Watch Together
From songs to short documentaries, check out these new videos designed for families to experience together.
Meet the Christofferson Family
Meet the Christoffersons, a family actively working toward a world with no racism. In this video, they talk about racism, respect, fairness, justice, and resilience in direct, age-appropriate, and honest ways. Watch the video yourself before deciding whether to share with children.
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Meet the Lee Family
Meet the Lee family: Dad David, mom Christine, and kids Logan, Emily, and Leo. In this video, the Lee family shares how they talk about culture, race and racism together—and what they’re learning along the way. Watch first before deciding whether to share with your child.”
Learn MorePower of We Club
Join Tamir, Gabrielle, Elmo, and other Sesame Street friends as they celebrate their different identities and learn to become “upstanders” for racial justice.
Coming Together Books
“Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism”
Sesame Street friends, CNN hosts, and experts from around the country come together for a Town Hall designed to help kids and families discuss racism, build empathy, and embrace diversity.
Resources
- See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special
- The Power of We Special
- Sesame Street in Communities: The ABCs of Racial Literacy
- Coming Together: Family Reflections on Racism Study
- Press Release: Sesame Workshop Continues Major Commitment to Racial Justice with New “ABCs of Racial Literacy” Content to Help Families Talk to Children About Race and Identity
- Watch the Sesame Street/CNN Town Halls
