One of South Africa’s favourite children’s shows, Takalani Sesame, is premiering new animated public service announcements to help families across the country stay physically and emotionally healthy as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Read more: Coronavirus: how does closing our schools stop the pandemic?
Sesame Workshop South Africa, the non-profit organisation behind Takalani Sesame, is using the show as a source of infotainment for children about Covid-19.
“As families across South Africa adjust to their new realities, Takalani Sesame is there to support them in staying healthy and fostering learning at home while children are out of school. With a little help from the Takalani Sesame muppets, together we can help children and families learn healthy habits and take care of each other during this crisis,” says Innocent Nkata, managing director of Sesame Workshop South Africa.
Read more: Welcome to the CHILD hub! Here are a few popular topics
Innocent emphasised the commitment the organisation has to families across SA in providing them with the necessary information and entertainment aimed at little ones, while helping parents deliver the message in an age-appropriate manner.
“Takalani Sesame is committed to supporting families throughout this crisis – equipping them with the tools they need to get through this together and look to the future with hope and optimism,” he says.
Takalani Sesame will air videos on TV and their YouTube channel for little ones to learn how to clean their hands and cough into their elbows with songs that will help make the whole process fun.
Read more: Please protect your children during this lockdown period
The new videos are part of Sesame Workshop’s Caring for Each Other initiative, which provides a rich array of Sesame Street content designed to comfort, educate and entertain parents and children.
The new videos premiering include:
Washy Wash with Elmo
Families can sing along with Elmo as he washes his hands for 20 seconds – washing away the germs and helping everyone stay healthy.
Learning How to Sneeze and Cough Safely with Grover
Grover helps children remember that when they feel a tickle in their noses or throats, they should remember to sneeze or cough into their upper sleeves or elbows – that helps keep the germs off their hands and away from other people. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Time to Wash Your Hands!
Takalani Sesame muppets demonstrate different situations where children and families should wash hands – after coughs and sneezes, before eating, after playing, after using the bathroom and more.
Caring for Myself, Caring for Others
Takalani Sesame muppets help children understand that when you take good care of yourself, you’re taking good care of others too.
