Ideas for Ways to Help Children Learn and Cope Through:
"Hurricane on Sesame Street"

On the week of September 12th, PBS is airing "Hurricane on Sesame Street," a five part series to help young children learn from their Sesame Street friends about ways to cope with stressful events like a hurricane. This is also a powerful story about how family and friends can help each other and work together to rebuild a community.

We encourage you to watch this series with your children since you can play an important role in helping them learn positive coping strategies that are highlighted throughout the story. Talk to them and ask questions about what has happened on Sesame Street, how the characters are feeling, how the adults validate their feelings, what each of them do to feel calm and safe, and how they all support one another to rebuild the street.

Below are some more specific talking points for you and your children, as well as activities that can help reinforce their learning:

PART 1: Everyone Prepares for a Hurricane on Sesame Street

What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is heading toward Sesame Street. A hurricane is a big storm with lots of wind and heavy rain. It might be scary, but notice how everyone is preparing ahead of time to stay safe.
Activity: Talk with your children about what a hurricane is and what to expect when one is coming.

What do they all do to get ready together?
Notice how the adults on Sesame Street empower the young Muppets to help prepare for the hurricane. Everyone works together to gather supplies like bottled water, canned foods, a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, and a radio.
Activity: Make your own checklist with your children. Then, empower them by asking them to help gather items when you are preparing for a storm or even a trip.

How do the adults help everyone feel safe?
The adults validate the Muppet's feelings by telling them that it's okay to feel scared. They reassure them that everything will be okay because they will all stick together and stay inside where it is safe. They also help the Muppets feel calm and safe by spending time talking to each other, sharing snacks, and making up stories together.
Activity: Ask your children to pretend a hurricane is coming to your neighborhood and encourage them to talk to their favorite stuffed animal to help them feel calm and safe. Also, find fun ways to play together inside. Draw a picture, eat a healthy snack, sing a song, dance to music, or make up stories together.

PART 2: Big Bird Finds that His Nest Has Been Destroyed

What happened to Big Bird's nest? How does he feel?
While the hurricane is over, everyone realizes that all the wind and rain have made a real mess on Sesame Street, especially Big Bird's nest that had been blown away. Big Bird is really upset, and Gordon acknowledges his feelings by telling him that it's okay to feel upset and reminds Big Bird that things will be alright. Everyone starts working together to clean up the street.
Activity: Ask your children, "How does Big Bird feel? Why?"

How do all the Sesame Street friends work together to help Big Bird?
Children take cues from the adults around them so all the adults on Sesame Street are shown remaining calm themselves and tell Big Bird that while it may take some time, they'll all work together to clean up Sesame Street and help rebuild his nest. Snuffy also reminds Big Bird that while the hurricane blew away his nest, it didn't blow away his friends. Big Bird feels better realizing that he has a lot of good friends that are willing to help him through this time.
Activity: Encourage your children to draw a picture of Sesame Street and Big Bird's nest and ask them what they might have done to help their Big Bird and the other Sesame Street friends.

What do the Sesame Street friends do to feel better about what has happened?
While the hurricane has changed a lot of things on Sesame Street, they still keep some of their normal routines and do some favorite things they always did before the hurricane. Since it's alphabet time, Snuffy, Big Bird, and everyone else sing the Alphabet Song together. Then, it's time for a birdseed snack and then after that, it's time for a nap. After Big Bird wakes up from his nap, Gordon and Susan encourage Big Bird to draw a picture of his nest the way it used to be, a positive coping strategy that helps Big Bird feel better.
Activity: Have your children make up a story describing the things they do in their everyday routines. These routines help children feel safe and calm, especially during stressful times.

PART 3: Big Bird Remembers Good Times at the Nest Before It Was Destroyed

What are some of Big Bird's favorite memories about his nest?
Big Bird tells Maria and Luis some nice things he remembers about his nest...like when Ernie slept over to sing him a lullaby. Luis and Maria also share some of their favorite stories about good times at the nest. Thinking, talking, and even singing about these memories help Big Bird feel better. Now, it's time for everyone to sleep so they could continue cleaning, fixing, and rebuilding Sesame Street the next day!
Activity: With your children, share stories about some favorite memories together. Walk around different rooms in your house together and talk about some special moments you've shared in these places.

PART 4: Big Bird Leads the Gang in Rebuilding His Nest

What do Maria and Luis ask Big Bird to do?
Sesame Street is beginning to look the way it did before the hurricane, and everyone has worked together to put Big Bird's things back where they were. However, Big Bird becomes upset after discovering that his nest is still not there. Maria and Luis then empower Big Bird by encouraging him to take the lead as a bird on rebuilding his nest, assuring him that they will be there to provide whatever help he needs. Big Bird agrees and tries to figure out how to rebuild his nest.
Activity: With your children, make a donation to Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild homes for families affected by Hurricane Katrina. You and your children can donate online at www.habitat.org or by calling 1-800-HABITAT.

PART 5: Big Bird's Nest is Finally Ready!

Why is Big Bird feeling so happy and proud?
With Big Bird taking the lead, the Sesame Street friends have been working hard to rebuild the nest together and wonder how they will know when the nest is finished. Big Bird calls Granny Bird who tells him it is finished when they add "the final twig". As they build, the group sings a song about the final twig and eventually Big Bird finds the right one, adds it to the nest. Then, the Big Bad Wolf inspects the nest to make sure it is sturdy and safe. After huffing and puffing, and realizing that nothing can break apart the nest, he tells Big Bird that the nest is ready for him to finally move in!
Activity: Now that Big Bird has finally rebuilt his nest, encourage your children to clap and cheer for him and all the Sesame Street friends who helped him! Then, with your children, sing a celebration song or make up a fun cheer or dance to celebrate Big Bird's new nest!

What does Big Bird do just before he climbs into his nest?
Big Bird says "thank you" to all of his Sesame Street friends who helped him build his nest and tells them that he couldn't have built it so fast without them. He then sings them a song to thank them, most of all, for being his friends.
Activity: Ask your children to think about a friend, teacher, or family member that they would like to thank and encourage them to make him or her a "Thank You" card.