- Fun, engaging and age-appropriate games
- Activities that don't require a mouse
- No reading required
- Kid-safe option keeps kids from accessing the rest of the computer
- Strong parent resources
- Too much emphasis on video content
- Visit with all of your favorite Sesame Street characters online
- Watch clips from Sesame Street or play fun games
- Enjoy themed "playlists" of videos and games or create your own
- Find parent resources and activities
- Lock out the rest of the machine and Internet while kids play, keeping files - and kids - safe.
After a major overhaul, Sesame Workshop launched a new Sesame Street website geared towards the interests and learning styles of preschool children. Fans can watch Sesame Street videos and play games with their favorite characters such as Elmo, Big Bird, Rosita, and Oscar the Grouch. Features include themed "playlists" of videos and games, the ability to find content related to a specific Muppet and personalized pages where registered kids can store their favorite content. There is also a parent section with activities to do with kids and resources for parents.
Honestly, on my first visit to the Sesame Street website, I was disappointed. I felt that it was too heavy on the video and that it didn't have enough emphasis on the activities. Computers are not simply small televisions. It's the interactivity that makes them such a powerful, educational and engaging tool. In subsequent visits I had a change of heart. The games and activities on the site are wonderful for preschool kids. They teach concepts like sorting, letter/color/number recognition, counting, and even simple social etiquette. They are easy to play with no reading required. I would encourage parents to engage kids in the games rather than letting them sit and mindlessly stare at the videos. Sure, the clips are educational, but it is far better to learn while doing than to learn passively.
As I mentioned above, the games and activities are age appropriate in terms of content and fine motor skills. I wouldn't expect anything else from the Sesame Workshop. There is one thing that bothers me and that is the use of a star rather than an arrow for the cursor/pointer. Although a star is technically more child friendly, kids are perfectly capable of understanding the arrow. More importantly, doing so helps them prepare for future computer use. I also found it harder to figure out where you're pointing with the big yellow star, but my son didn't seem to have any issues. That said, there are also plenty of games that use no mouse whatsoever. These are great starting points for younger children who can't quite master the mechanics of the mouse.
One great thing about this site is that it is parent-friendly as well as child-friendly. It acknowledges the importance of parental engagement by providing plenty of things for parents to see and do. There is a behind-the-scenes blog, parenting guides and even a Facebook app so you can share your own mood on your Facebook profile. Another parent-friendly and kid-friendly feature is the Kid-Safe option which creates a safe place for kids to freely explore without getting into other things online or on the computer. If you're not using a kid-friendly browser, this is going to be very useful.
