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Research and Insights

Leading the conversation about how media can educate children.

Ever since the landmark study that inspired Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop has been leading the conversation about how media can educate children.

For us, cracking the code of learning is a continuous process — and a collaborative one. Uniting researchers, educators, producers, and entrepreneurs, we’re forever inventing a more engaging, enriching, and encouraging world for children, even as their needs and environments change.

Featured Work

Reaching children and families around the world through the power of media.

Joan Ganz laughing as Bert and Ernie sit on her shoulders.

The Joan Ganz Cooney Center

Advancing children’s education in the digital age.
Grover and a young girl.

Sesame Ventures

Seed the future: Investments in life-changing learning.
Ahlan Simsim Research Findings

Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee launched Ahlan Simsim in 2018 to address a humanitarian crisis: a generation of children raised amidst conflict, with limited access to early childhood learning and development opportunities. Another goal was to share our research and findings. Now, NYU has released the results of three landmark studies, with good news for children.

Two kids watching Ahlan SimSim on tv.

Lessons and Impacts of the Ahlan Simsim TV Program

A study in pre-primary classrooms in Jordan on children’s emotional development.
Grover at a table with two kids.

Effects of Remote Early Childhood Education

A study conducted with families in hard-to-access settings in Lebanon.
Jad shaking hands with a child.

An Evaluation of a Phone-Based Parenting Program

A study with Syrian and Jordanian Families with Young Children
Elmo
150 million in 150+ countries
That’s how many children we support with life-changing early education.
Research Reports

With all of our work, research is key.

children's hands stacked.

Coming Together: Family Reflections On Racism Study

For this report, Sesame Workshop explored how children experienced or processed the 2020 surge in media coverage of violent acts of racism.
Elmo laughing with a group of children.

Play to Learn Annual Report 2022

Reflecting on a year of learning, impact, and growth for Play to Learn.
Girl with a backpack in school

Caring for Each Other

In this study, Sesame Workshop sought out to explore how children were experiencing or processing the pandemic.
Crayons

Identity Matters Study

Explore parents’ and educators’ perceptions of children’s social identity development.
Grover and a young child touch noses.

Help Prepare the Next Generation to Build a Better World

Make a gift today and help us transform how the world supports children, wherever they may be, for generations to come.

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