Mental Health Resources
Sesame Street in Communities
May 5, 2026
Our partners at Sesame Street in Communities have expanded their suite of emotional well-being resources designed to help young children and the caring adults in their lives navigate everyday challenges and build resilience and social problem-solving skills. The new videos and digital content offer practical tools that meet families where they are and support communication between parents and providers. The new resources include sixteen videos, four printable pages, two articles, and one storybook.
Videos
In this video, Elmo shows how taking time to talk and listen helps grown-ups support children’s big feelings. When caring adults work together, even tough moments can become chances to connect and learn.
Together with children, watch this video in which Elmo and Abby work through a disagreement by pausing to listen. For two friends with different ideas, it can be hard to share supplies! With the help of Ms. Jennifer’s calming presence, gentle observation, and open-ended questions, Elmo and Abby work together to create a structure anyone can enjoy. As you watch, you may invite children in your care to think of ways they can build AND decide together!
When everyone wants the same role, play can quickly feel crowded and frustrating — but working together and sharing jobs helps everyone have more fun! Watch this video with children and consider ways to spark conversations with young children about teamwork, turn-taking, and finding solutions together during cooperative play.
Enjoy a song that reminds us of the power of persistence! Together with children, watch the video once through. Then, talk about some of the hard things you’ve been able to do, and invite children in your care to do the same. There are big ideas in the song, so it’s helpful for children to watch it a few times and move and groove along.
When things feel tricky or overwhelming, a caring adult can make all the difference for a child. Supportive adults help children feel safe, seen, and brave enough to keep trying by offering encouragement, lending a hand, and reminding them that it’s okay to ask for help. With a little kindness and support, children learn that challenges don’t have to be faced alone — and that, together, they can figure things out!
Grover tries to be the best at lots of things — tennis, tap dancing, and basketball — but soon he learns an important lesson: feeling your best isn’t about being the best at everything. With support from a friend, Grover discovers that doing what makes him feel good — like moving his body — can help boost confidence, joy, and well-being. Watch this video alongside children in your care and talk through some questions to help kids consider what keeps them at their best!
Sometimes our bodies have big energy (or big feelings!)and we need a quick reset. In this video, Sesame friends model a simple way to pause, move, and take a breath so children can feel calmer and more focused. Try it together, then ask: How does your body feel now? A little movement can help us return to learning, playing, and connecting with care.
When Rosita’s favorite butterfly shirt is torn, she feels heartbroken until her Mami shows her their family quilt. Each piece of the quilt holds an important story, including one from Rosita’s Abuelita that turns a “ruined” moment into a treasured memory. As Rosita decides to add her own shirt to the quilt, she learns that change can help us create something new and beautiful.
Wes Becomes a Perspective Detective
Together, watch this video in which Elijah invites Wes to become a perspective detective. After watching, ask:
- How was Elmo feeling about going to the birthday party?
- Why do you think that was?
- How was Wes feeling about going to the birthday party?
- Do you remember what Wes did to try to understand how Elmo might be feeling?
Together, watch this video in which Elmo, Abby, Wes, and Louie decide to make her a get well basket. After watching, ask:
- What kind thing did Elmo, Abby, Wes, and Louie do together to cheer Zoe up while she was home sick?
- What’s one kind thing you’ve done for a friend?
Together, watch this video in which Elmo, Abby, Wes, and Elijah are building a city with blocks. After watching, ask:
- How do you think Elmo, Abby, and Elijah were feeling when Wes took most of the blocks?
- How do you know they were feeling that way?
- What did Wes do to solve the problem with his friends?
Elijah Explains Stop, Notice, Think
When children have a disagreement, it can be useful to break down perspective-taking into three simple steps.
- First, they can stop and take a moment to breathe and focus.
- Next, they can take time to really notice the other person’s body, words, and actions.
- Finally, they can think about how that person might be feeling.
Perspective-taking is often the first step towards healthy conflict resolution.
Kind acts are a critical way that young children can show their friends they care. In this video, Elmo explains different ways that children can be kind, including:
- Helping
- Sharing
- Taking Turns
- Listening
In this video, the Letter C presents a short strategy that can be useful for children when problem solving:
- Pause – Take a slow, deep breath. Voice quiet, body calm. Eyes and ears ready to listen.
- Identify – Label the problem. What are you feeling? How is that different from what your friend is feeling? For example, “It sounds like we are both feeling frustrated because I want chocolate and you want vanilla.”
- Act – Decide what action you will take to cooperate. This could include compromising, sharing, taking turns, or another strategy relevant to the problem at hand.
In this short video, Bert and Ernie run into an obstacle and explore the idea of compromise. Watch this video together with a child. After watching, discuss the meaning of compromise and how Bert and Ernie were able to do so.
In this short video, Big Bird explains to Felix why he’s chosen a specific gift for Oscar. Watch this video with your child. After watching, ask what made Big Bird’s gift particularly kind.
Printables
Being able to name feelings can remind children to better understand themselves, share what they are experiencing with others, and begin learning healthy ways to manage big emotions. Consider some fun ways to invite little ones to explore feelings big and small.
We Can Do Hard Things Lyrics Sheet
Watch this video together with young children, then print this page so you can sing together anytime. Children can color Elmo, Abby, and Grover, or decorate the page any way they like. Display where you can see (and sing) it often!
Print this page and look it over with your child. Read the text together and say, “Let’s help our Sesame Street friends be their best by coloring the picture and solving their problems!” Encourage children to circle each item as they find it, then ask, “What would your perfect playground look like? How would it be the best playground for both you and your friends?”
Print this page and look it over with your child. Read the text together and say, “Let’s help our Sesame Street friends be their best by coloring the picture and solving their problems!” Encourage children to circle each item as they find it, then ask, “What would your perfect playground look like? How would it be the best playground for both you and your friends?”
Storybook
Follow Ms. Jennifer and her class of Sesame friends learn to use a calm “quiet corner” and simple self-regulation strategies to feel better with supportive grown-ups and friends. After reading, invite children to talk about “big feelings” the way the book does: “What do you do when you have big feelings?” and “Where in our home/class could a quiet corner live?” Then build your own “quiet corner” together with cozy, safe items — and practice a few tools the story is designed to showcase (like stretching/body scan or “wiggle it out,” plus other calming choices), so children can try them before they’re upset and remember them when they need them. You can also draw a picture of “my quiet corner,” role-play a moment when Zozo (or you!) feels overwhelmed and chooses a strategy, and make a simple “menu” of calm-down options children can point to when words feel hard.
Articles
It Takes a Village: Setting Expectations Together
Honest conversations with the adults in a child’s circle of care can set everyone up for success! Read this article to learn more about two simple strategies that families and providers can use to work together.
Working Together to Support Children Through Tough Moments
When it comes to supporting little ones with big feelings, providers and caregivers work better together! Read this article to learn simple actions you can take as a team.
For more resources visit Sesame Street in Communities Mental Health topic page.