5 Unique Versions of Sesame Street From Around the World
The street you know and love is much longer than you think!
Since 1972, Sesame Workshop has brought playful learning to countries around the world with our international co-productions, featuring local languages and their own special cast of characters. From Asia to Africa and everywhere in between, families can find Sesame Workshop programming wherever children learn and play.
Join us as we explore just a few of the special neighborhoods bringing sunny days to little ones everywhere!
1. Plaza Sésamo (Mexico)
First launched in Mexico in 1972, Plaza Sésamo stresses literacy, arithmetic, and social emotional development, and has helped prepare generations of Latin American children to succeed in school. It also goes beyond the basics to address children’s evolving needs, from financial empowerment and healthy habits to digital literacy and children’s rights.
2. Ahlan Simsim (Middle East and North Africa)
Ahlan Simsim is part of a broader humanitarian program that aims to address the devastating impacts of crisis and displacement by delivering early learning and nurturing care to children and caregivers affected by the Syrian refugee crisis. Meaning “Welcome Sesame” in Arabic, the program was designed to meet children’s literacy and numeracy learning needs while many schools and early childhood programs were interrupted, offering a warm and joyful welcome to early learning to young children across the Middle East.
3. Sesamstrasse (Germany)
Generations of children have grown up with Sesamstrasse, Germany’s local version of Sesame Street that has aired since 1973. Sesamstrasse encourages creative play, asking questions, and using active imaginations. These furry friends help kids tackle issues like sharing and taking turns, protecting the environment, and mutual respect and understanding — especially relevant for the diverse population of modern Germany.
4. Sisimpur (Bangladesh)
Sisimpur has provided early learning in literacy, math, and more since 2005. With lessons in areas like nutrition, gender equity, diversity, and emotional well-being, children across Bangladesh are supported with tools to help them thrive. Sisimpur is designed to reach children and caregivers with quality early learning that meets the educational needs of children ages 3-8 across all social classes and different regions of the country.
5. Takalani Sesame (South Africa)
Takalani Sesame is loved by kids and trusted by parents to deliver joyful educational content to preschoolers in South Africa. The beloved program has been at the forefront of smart, impactful, preschool content for over 20 years, teaching children and their caregivers about learning through play, regulating emotions, building identity, and being part of a community.
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