Street Scenes

This fall, Season 43 highlights self-regulation. Self-regulation includes abilities such as identifying and coping with feelings, following directions, practicing self-control, and staying on task. These skills are every bit as essential to school readiness as ABCs and 123s.

Help your child develop his or her self-regulation skills after watching episodes of Sesame Street. Talk about how Elmo feels when Abby doesn't want to play with him in "The Good Sport," what Cookie Monster must do to join the Cookie Connoisseurs Club in "Get Lost, Mr. Chips," or how Big Bird helps his friends find their way back to the subway station in "Hansel and Gretel's Playdate." Then practice the skills the characters demonstrate. Encourage your child to recognize and label emotions. Model questions and statements, such as "How are you feeling?" or "I see you are feeling frustrated because…" Teach your child impulse-control strategies, such as counting, singing, or playing with someone else to make waiting easier. Ask your child to help you remember a shopping list or directions to strengthen working memory.