In November of 1969, the first episode of Sesame Street aired to children across America, marking the beginning of a long-term journey to improve the lives of children and their families through the voices of friendly Muppets that count, spell, and problem solve on screen. Fifty years later, Sesame Street remains one of the most successful television programs ever created. The show is broadcasted regularly around the globe and has adapted to tackle the challenges and opportunities modern children face in 2019. Dr. Rosemarie Truglio DC'83, Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop, is passionate about the show, its future, and her Douglass beginnings.
“Not many shows can claim they’ve been in production for 50 consecutive years,” said Dr. Truglio. “What’s unique about our show is that we’re constantly evolving, both in content and form. We’re able to talk about topical issues facing twenty-first century children.”
Dr. Truglio, an inductee to Rutgers’ Hall of Distinguished Alumni, has been at Sesame Workshop for 23 of the show’s 50 years, researching and creating content that supports early childhood educational and interpersonal development. At Sesame Workshop, Dr. Truglio is responsible for creation of the interdisciplinary curriculum on which Sesame Street is based. From television and publishing, to toys and theme parks, she oversees content development across all of the organization’s channels.
Widely known for the letter and number of the day, the show’s content has grown beyond literacy and early math over the years.
“We reach and teach through content that is driven by a comprehensive school readiness curriculum. It’s not just letters and numbers anymore. We’re dedicated to creating holistic content that helps kids be better prepared for school–and life–in the twenty-first century, and we focus on developing executive function skills that help facilitate this process,” said Dr. Truglio. “Our curriculum touches on everything from critical thinking and self-control to expressing emotions in a healthy, productive way. If kids don’t have these foundational skills, they have far more trouble learning the academic skills like literacy, math, and science.”
Over the course of 50 years, the cast of characters on the show has also transformed to better represent the diversity of experiences children face. Most recently, Sesame Street introduced Julia, a Muppet who is on the autism spectrum. Beyond the show, the organization’s Sesame Street in Communities program introduced Karli, a Muppet who is in foster care because of parental addiction, and Lily, who experienced family homelessness. Internationally, Sesame Workshop creates content tailored to the specific needs of children and families around the world. With partners like the International Rescue Committee and The LEGO Foundation, they’re even reaching children affected by the refugee crises in the Syrian response region and Bangladesh.
While written for children, the show includes valuable insights for adults as well. Alongside its mission to further learning in content subjects like math, science, and literacy, the show’s ultimate goals are to promote empathy, establish social awareness, and instill confidence.
“Sesame Street itself is inhabited by a diverse and inclusive cast. It’s a kind street. Ultimately, we’re modeling kindness,” said Dr. Truglio. “From developing cultural competency skills and healthy habits to acknowledging it’s okay to make mistakes, the show is filled with lessons for adults. These same lessons we teach our kids are often the ones we need to remember as well.”
Dr. Truglio graduated from Douglass College in 1983 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, and spent her undergraduate years building her skills by working with children in the daycare on campus as well as the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center. She credits her success to these early experiences at the College.
“I have a voice for children. Growing up, I never thought that would be the case. However at Douglass I gained the confidence to believe I could be that voice,” she said. “Douglass was my foundation. That’s why I’m so committed to support the College.”
In terms of children’s television—and television in general—the show has been revolutionary, with its beloved, fuzzy stars existing as instantly recognizable cultural icons. Yet after 50 years, regardless of its status in pop culture, the show’s true value still lies in the work it does every day for children around the world.
“The reason I’ve been at Sesame Workshop for 23 years is that I’m constantly learning,” said Dr. Truglio. “The children are constantly teaching me—making me a better researcher, educator, and person.”
Dr. Truglio is the author of the recently released book, Sesame Street: Ready for School! A Parent's Guide to Playful Learning for Children Ages 2 to 5.
