Sesame Street for Military Families Launches New Resources to Build Strong Family Connections for Military Families

Free bilingual videos, printables, and more to help navigate life’s daily challenges

(New York, NY – January 15, 2025) Being a parent is among life’s most rewarding roles, but parenting as a service member can also present unique challenges, such as deployments and regulating the emotional well-being of the family. Through the partnership with Sesame Workshop and the Department of Defense (DOD), Office of Military Family and Community Policy (MC&FP), Sesame Street for Military Families continues to meet these challenges.

Sesame Street for Military Families has launched a new suite of resources, available in both English and Spanish, to provide military service members and their families with practical tips and ideas to help support families with the challenges of everyday military life. Designed by military families, DOD leadership and partner organizations who serve military families, these resources aim to strengthen family connections and support the emotional well-being of service members, children and parents alike.

The free resources include five articles written specifically to help parents navigate tough situations, three videos featuring the iconic Sesame Street characters with complementary printable activity handouts:   

• In the video “Me and Us Time,” Elmo learns how “me time” is an important part of each family member’s emotional well-being.
• The “Reset to Respond” video shows how Maggie uses “reset” strategies to stay present with her children and respond with joy when she begins to be overwhelmed.
• In the video “What if…? Game,” Maggie and Louie explore playful ways to help their children transition smoothly to a new activity.

The online activities help children learn and practice ways to cope with big feelings.

“Whether you’re an adult or a child, we can all feel overwhelmed and may need to take time to reset. This may not always be easy or top of mind within military life,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop. “However, enjoying time together nurtures emotional resilience, helping military families accept the big feelings that happen to all of us when challenges arise.”

“Our families face many challenges associated with everyday military life, whether that’s adjusting to new routines when a loved one deploys or building community in unfamiliar surroundings with each new move,” said Patricia M. Barron, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy. “As a military spouse, my family and I moved over a dozen times, so I know how valuable resources such as Military OneSource and Sesame Street for Military Families website are to provide support and information to make connections and build community.”

Barron said Department personnel remain committed to helping service members and their families meet life’s stressors head on.

“We are so excited about the new content through the Sesame Street for Military Families website that supports the wellbeing and adjustment of military families because it is very much needed,” she said.

Sesame Street for Military Families has helped families navigate both the joys and challenges associated with military life for over 15 years. This expansion of Sesame Street for Military Families extensive library of resources for military families aims to provide support for all the transitions and effects of military life, such as single parenting, connecting and celebrating family events while being apart, relocation, and much more. Families can use these materials to build stronger connections and promote emotional well-being, ensuring a healthier and happier household for everyone. The resources are free to families and providers and are available in English and Spanish at sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org.

About Sesame Workshop  
Sesame Workshop is the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 150 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Learn more at www.sesame.org and follow Sesame Workshop on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X. 

About Military Community and Family Policy 
Military Community and Family Policy is directly responsible for establishing quality-of-life policies and programs that help our service members, their families and survivors be well and mission ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to MC&FP programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. These Department of Defense services can be accessed 24/7/365 around the world at https://www.militaryonesource.mil.