If you are looking for something fun to do with your family this holiday season, and for FREE you can go to the Library for the Performing Arts and enjoy the exhibit "Somebody Come and Play: 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder."

This exhibit features many great things for all ages: from more than 20 puppets on display, sketches, blueprints and set designs to bring back memories—to an interactive children's area which features books, apps and activities.

Sesame street is an educational TV program that started in 1969. It has helped many preschoolers to learn about the alphabet and numbers, but also about health, emotional well being, respect and understanding of many difficult topics. 

But did you know that Sesame Street has international reach? Sesame Workshop, the company that produces Sesame Street, also co-produces international versions of the beloved television show in many different languages for audiences in many different countries, a list below:

Afghanistan - baghch-e-simsim
Australia - Sesame Street,“Play Along With Ollie”
Bangladesh - Sisimpur
Brazil - Vila Sésamo
China - Zhima Jie: Da Niao Kan Shijie
Colombia - Plaza Sésamo 
Denmark - Sesamgade
France - 5, rue Sésame
Germany - Sesamstrasse
India - Galli Galli Sim Sim
Indonesia - Jalan Sesama
Israel - Rechov Sumsum
Japan - Sesame Street
Jordan - Hikayat Sesame
Mexico - Plaza Sésamo 
Netherlands - Sesamstraat
Nigeria - Sesame Square
Northern Ireland - Sesame Tree
Pakistan - sim sim hamara
Palestine - Shara’a Simsim
Russia - Ulitsa Sezam, Улица Сезам
Spain - Barrio Sésamo
South Africa - takalani sesame
Tanzania - Kilimani Sesame
United States - Sesame Street

They target their programs to their many different audiences, looking for ways to teach and help children all over the world to understand and cope. This is also helpful for immigrant families. Sesame Street can help families learn about American customs and traditions, and Sesame Street international can help to share and explain situations from back home. It is also a great tool to teach children in general about international situations going on.  You can find  videoclips for any of the international programs through YouTube.  Here is a great video about a character, "Khokha," that is sure to empower and encourage many girls around the world.

Another example of the wonderful works of Sesame Workshops is a bilingual (English/Spanish) initiative, "Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration." My colleagues at Correctional Services are using the materials as part of their family literacy programs, to help parents talk to their children about their situation with honesty and hope, in a way children can understand.

Remember to come and enjoy the exhibit Somebody Come and Play: 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts—it will only be here through January 31.

And once you visit, come back and check out some of the great materials we have for you. We carry materials in English and Spanish.