Sesame Workshop Introduces the ABCs of Racial Literacy

On Tuesday, Sesame Workshop introduced the "ABCs of Racial Literacy," a set of resources part of their Coming Together initiative. The resources—which include educational framework, ongoing research, and a rolling release of content—are designed to help families build racial literacy and have conversations with young children. It will also help guide future seasons of Sesame Street.

According to a recent study of children 6-11 on children and racism (commissioned by Sesame Workshop), racism was top of mind for almost 50 percent of children surveyed. It was even more prevalent in the responses of Black children. Unfortunately, only 23 percent of parents reported that specific resources actually help them prepare for conversations about race and racism with their children, despite the majority of them being comfortable with their children learning about these topics through books, media, or school. The "ABCs of Racial Literacy" is just one of the ways Sesame Workshop seeks to fill a gap for parents as they begin having these discussions with their children.

The resources use age-appropriate language and strategies to guide difficult questions and conversations surrounding race and racism. For example, one video features Elmo and two Muppets—5-year-old Wes and his father Elijah—and Elmo wants to know why Wes' skin is brown. Elijah explains melanin and that the color of our skin is an important part of who we are. In another, the Muppets celebrate their own unique identities in a music video.