By Michelle Heimburger Tue, November 10, 2009, 12:01 am PST

First Lady Michelle Obama plants a garden with Big Bird and Elmo as part of Sesame Street's 40th season. Photo by Richard Termine I've always been a big "Sesame Street" fan, but it took me a long time to truly understand how good it is. As a kid, I thought it was just entertainment. Sure, I learned about letters and numbers and sharing and things, but it was mostly a fun show full of characters so vivid they felt like friends: there was a helpful monster who avoided contractions, a filthy curmudgeon, a meticulous bachelor and his infuriatingly perky roommate, an omnivorous monster with impulse control problems, a surprisingly cuddly vampiric numerophile, and a little kid who happened to be an eight-foot-two-inch-tall bird -- and his (still invisible at that point) friend. Now, as a mom, I think I'm finally able to fully appreciate "Sesame Street" for what it is: the most loving, carefully crafted, far-reaching educational project on the planet. If you've never considered how big "Sesame Street" is, that might sound ludicrous. But consider its goals and its impact. Back in 1969, when it debuted, it was designed to help urban, low-income, and minority preschoolers be more prepared for school (though its appeal ended up being far wider than that). Studies have shown that it succeeded. In addition to teaching letters and numbers, "Sesame Street" also teaches kids to have a positive attitude toward learning in general. But the show teaches even greater social lessons. Beyond the obvious ones like sharing and telling the truth, it has a deeper message of tolerance, empathy, diversity, and acceptance. Today, 140 versions of the show exist around the world, each crafted to suit its local audience in format, curriculum, and tone. In South Africa, "Takalani Sesame" features an HIV-positive Muppet. On Egypt's "Alam Simsim," an inquisitive female Muppet encourages girls to break gender stereotypes. And in recent years in America, the show has helped children of military personnel deal with parents' deployment and homecoming, and has helped teach kids affected by the dismal economy how to cope. In its four decades, "Sesame Street" has changed with the times to keep up with entertainment styles, educational demands, and social needs. Today, as the show celebrates 40 years of excellent educational television, millions of kids and parents will tune in to a new season that will focus on things like healthy eating and green living, but without fundamentally changing from its original educational goals. I'm looking forward to seeing what they'll do, though I haven't seen much of the show lately (and, admittedly, the last time I watched, I found Elmo rather annoying). My daughter is still too young for TV, but I'm excited about rediscovering my old friends with her when she's a little older. Suggested Sites... Sesame Street - official site of the show that's won an astonishing 122 Emmy Awards. It’s All New and Better Than Ever as Sesame Street Turns 40! - Sesame Workshop outlines the changes you'll see on the next season of "Sesame Street." Muppet Wiki: Sesame Street - Muppet enthusiasts' knowledge of all things Sesame. The New York Times: Sesame Street - a highbrow look at kids' TV. Reaching the Next Generation With 'Muppet Diplomacy' - CNN article on "Sesame Street's" international message of understanding and tolerance.

Directory categories: Sesame Street, Sesame Street Characters, Jim Henson, The Muppets, Children's Television

Archived under: Anniversaries, Children, Children´s TV, Education, Entertainment, Muppets, Sesame Street, TV

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