Watch and Play: Abby’s Magical Dragons

In the Sesame Street episode Abby’s Magical Dragons (available now on Netflix and PBSKIDS), Abby Cadabby is beastie-sitting three musical dragons on Sesame Street. She puts them to sleep following the three steps in their bedtime routine; turn on their nightlight, give them their lovies, and sing them a lullaby.

Abby mistakenly thinks the beasties are asleep and skips the last step into their routine-sing them a lullaby. Suddenly, the beasties wake up and sing (loudly!) Abby attempts to get them back to bed but nothing works. She begins to feel hot and shaky and when Elmo asks if she feels overwhelmed she responds yes.

Luckily, Abby remembers to do a Wand Wiggle when feeling overwhelmed. She wiggles different parts of her body which helps her feel better. After feeling calmer, she asks her friends on Sesame Street to help play a lullaby to the three musical dragons who fall fast asleep.

Preschoolers can have big feelings, including feeling overwhelmed. Helping your preschooler develop the tools to manage these feelings can help them navigate new experiences or challenges.

Next time your preschooler is feeling overwhelmed, try doing a wand wiggle. Wiggle your fingers. Now your tummy. Ask your little one what else they should wiggle? How do they feel? Validating your preschoolers feelings and proving them with coping strategies is important as they begin to identify and manage different emotions. Check out the additional resources below:

Watch and Play Together Activities

Helping Children Soothe Themselves

Two simple, hands-on ways to help children overwhelmed by big feelings.

Emotional Well-Being

Ages 3+

I Notice, I Feel, I Can

A three-step plan to help children manage challenging emotions.

Emotional Well-Being

Ages 3+

Find this episode on Netflix, PBS Kids or Nationwide Public Television (Check local listings).