MANILA, Philippines ? Four decades ago, ?Sesame Street? transformed children?s television by combining live actors and puppets, teaching little kids how to read, write and count.

The significance of its achievement cannot be gainsaid, and the growth of its global influence has been exponential, with more than 100 countries viewing its weekday telecasts. Even better, the US show has spawned many similar programs in different parts of the world, including the Philippines.
What accounts for the continuing success and influence of ?Sesame Street?? First, it proved that television could be used not just to entertain very young viewers with silly and even violent cartoons, but also to teach them even before they got to formal schooling age.

Entertaining manner

Key to this feat is the fact that the teaching is done in an entertaining manner that makes full use of the television medium?s many gifts and skills.

In some instances, the program even created innovations that added to the medium?s ability to captivate and enchant viewers. Specifically, the production created the Muppets, lovable updates on puppets that eventually became stars in their own right, like Big Bird, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

But, the production also has its intentionally ornery side, initially shocking some teachers and parents with its creation of monsters. ?Monsters as mentors for very young viewers, teaching them how to read, count and stuff?

Well, yes. The production?s resident child psychologists and experts in education sensed that kids had a ?fascination? for scary creatures that could be put to good use in sustaining their attention and encouraging the development of their all-important sense of wonder.

Song and dance

In addition, the show also went in for a lot of song and dance, which made its teaching points imaginative and colorful. In fact, the educational program for preschoolers became so purposively entertaining that even older viewers found themselves viewing it principally for its entertainment value!

Another strong thrust of the educational show is its espousal of a realistic view of the world. That?s precisely why it?s set in an urban neighborhood, with real, accessible people and a decidedly ?colorblind? cast of characters.

In 1969, this was regarded as quite edgy and revolutionary, especially for a children?s show, but it has since been praised for helping children become less racist than their parents.

In terms of actual learning, the ?Sesame Street? experience has enabled its young ?graduates? to get better grades once they get to school. Its other valuable contributions may be harder to quantify, but the show also earns high marks for encouraging kids to love reading, and to care about other people and the world they live in.

Good foundation

Ironically, a number of the local children?s shows inspired by ?Sesame Street? are no longer being produced?even as the ?mother? show vigorously marks its 40th year, still helping millions of kids get a good foundation in terms of basic learning and values formation.

?Open, Sesame,? indeed!