Sesame Workshop and Child Care Aware® of America are partnering with Child Care Council Inc. to launch a community outreach effort to build resilience and self-esteem among young children.
Through this collaboration, Child Care Council will offer Sesame Workshop’s “Little Children, Big Challenges” outreach program to the greater Rochester region. Designed to help increase self-awareness and boost self-esteem, this program introduces the skills and strategies children ages 2 to 5 need to build resilience and perseverance, such as dealing with:
– Significant transitions and situations including mean or aggressive behavior, sibling rivalry and relocation
– Day-to-day challenges like trying new things, learning from mistakes, making new friends, not being able to do something yet, and resolving problems with friends
The Council is offering free toolkits with activities and positive routines to help parents, caregivers and educators foster young children’s resilience. The bilingual (English and Spanish), multimedia toolkits are composed of a Sesame Street DVD featuring a Muppet story and music videos with real children and families; a family guide with tips and strategies for dealing with grieving, incarceration and divorce; a community guide for child care, nursery school and other programs working with children; and links to additional materials online.
“Child Care Council is delighted to be selected for this exciting partnership with Sesame Workshop and Child Care Aware of America,” said Child Care Council CEO Barbara-Ann Mattle. “As a leading agency working to improve child care quality in the region, the Council is in a unique position to provide Sesame Workshop’s Little Children, Big Challenges materials, through our ongoing outreach to child care providers, parents and community organizations.”
The free toolkits currently are available at Child Care Council’s offices in Monroe County (595 Blossom Road, Suite 120 in Rochester), Livingston County (3513 Thomas Drive, Suite 4, in Lakeville), or Wayne County (510 West Union Street, Suite 1, in Newark). People also can request a toolkit by contacting Renee Sholz, the Council’s referral services director, at [email protected] or 585.654.1286.
