Join the Club!
A video about young children becoming good community members.
Together with children, watch the video introducing children to the Little Neighbors Club—Muppet friends have formed this club on Sesame Street, and all children everywhere can join!
After a second viewing, you’ll probably be able to sing the chorus together—you might sing it anytime you see children or anyone else being a good neighbor.
Consider what you want children to know about being a good citizen or community member. It can mean feeling a sense of belonging and connectedness. It can mean telling a grown-up when we see someone being treated unfairly. It can mean keeping our own selves healthy and safe and doing things to protect those around us. It can mean appreciating diversity, understanding the rights and responsibilities that go along with living in any community, or deciding to protect our environment.
There are many qualities of a good citizen! The videos, printables, and storybook on this page can help children explore and celebrate these six:
- Environmental awareness: taking care of the Earth
- Safety: keeping ourselves, each other, and our communities safe
- Being a good neighbor: looking out for one another
- Volunteerism: giving our time and energy
- Compassion: being kind, caring, and empathetic—and noticing when others are not being treated fairly
- Continuous self-improvement: becoming our very best, as individuals and as communities
Once children have watched all the videos and completed the companion printable activities (even by just looking at them on-screen), print out (or view on-screen) this certificate [link to certificate] welcoming them to the Little Neighbors Club!
Monster Meltdown
Meltdowns happen… but they are somewhat predictable! As you try to handle them, curiosity and patience go a long way.
Toddler Tips: Meltdowns
Strategies for during and after a meltdown…and even some ways meltdowns might be avoided.
Listen, Feel, and See with Elmo
When children are in the hospital, this mindfulness game can help them soothe themselves.
Using Your Words
A coloring page helping children explore words for big feelings.
Cookie Monster’s Beach Day
When children are in the hospital, their imagination can become a valuable tool in soothing themselves.
Safe & Together
When families have to leave home in order to stay safe, it helps to remember that home is where the love is.
Bubble Time
A quiet activity such as blowing bubbles can help both children and adults breathe deeply, slow down… and calm down.
