The Civil Rights Movement of the United States and discrimination of black children played a crucial role in the genesis of Sesame Workshop, a non-profit organisation based in New York. Now this organisation, which set its foot on the Indian shores in 2006, is working at multiple levels in Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi to make educational content for pre-school children, including marginalised ones, more meaningful, engaging and entertaining.
Nourishing the intellectual level of children, usually born with an aptitude for gadgets these days, through interactive games and mentally stimulating television programmes is the modus operandi of Sesame Workshop.
According to Sesame School House vice president Mona Singh, the organisation works in different countries but its methodology in disseminating education by producing high-quality educational programmes and airing them on the national broadcaster and working with Government in reaching out to kids from economically backward families remains the same.
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“Currently, we are working in 150 countries, including in conflict zones like Afghanistan and African nations. But our work in India differs as we are not only working with needy children and running most popular children’s programme
In every country, the nomenclature of children’s programme is different. The content too differs but all of them are said to be refreshing and innovative. The underlying philosophy of Sesame Street is to increase understanding of children rather than make them mug up words. Before embarking on any project, Sesame Workshop does extensive research work. Before setting up the educational framework in India, it roped in educationists who after in-depth study of primary education gave their feedback.
Explaining how the methodology at Sesame’s run school at Ghitorni on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road is different in comparison to other play schools operating in Delhi and National Capital Region, Singh says firstly the concept of education through blackboards has been done away with.
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“Secondly, we make the children feel objects through hands. We prepare a well researched curriculum, rich content that spans print, audio-visual and digital. In the 21 Century, we want our kids to face challenges in educational institutions and later on in their professional lives with confidence. Therefore, we hone their skills in communication, creativity and critical thinking.”
The organisation’s curriculum and methodology integrates hands-on project based learning, with creative approaches to foster critical thinking and problem solving, laying a strong foundation to promote lifelong learning. Beyond education, it lays emphasis on child protection and safety, empowerment of children, positive role models, inclusion, mutual respect and tolerance. In India, it is working with underprivileged children in some States, including Uttarakhand and Bihar.