Dive Brief:
- A new report by economists from the University of Maryland and Wellesley College has concluded that access to Sesame Street in its early days meant better educational outcomes for viewers. The benefits, they say, are on par with preschool.
- Sesame Street gave children content with an emphasis on basics, like reading and math, that researchers say appears to have helped prepare them for school. The report finds that children in areas where the broadcast was available had a 14% decline in their chances of being behind in school.
- The researchers tracked students who watched the show during its heyday to see if they "continued to experience improved outcomes," and what they found was that early and consistent access to Sesame Street led to better opportunities and success in elementary school and beyond.
Dive Insight:
During Richard Nixon's presidency, the government also conducted studies on Sesame Street and found that there were short-term benefits in students tuning into the show. This report can't confirm that the show still provides children with those same benefits, but it does point to the significance of early childhood education. Interestingly, the team also reasoned that there are higher education implications, too.
According to Levin and Kearney, Sesame Street was the original MOOC, and its benefits can extend across all electronic communications. "It's encouraging because it means we might be able to make real progress in ways that are affordable and scalable," Kearny told The Washington Post.
Whether a TV show can eliminate the need for universal pre-K is still a matter of debate. Ultimately, the authors of the report say, a brick and mortar pre-K helps with emotional support, teaches children to work in collaboration, and offers an atmosphere to build and improve social skills.
