Buzz
by Louisa Mellor
When the 33rd season of Sesame Street debuted just months after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the show's creators felt it was essential to address the profound tragedy. Known for tackling challenging topics like grief, bullying, divorce, and racism, the beloved children's series aimed to help its young viewers process the horror of the day in a way they could understand.
“It was a heartbreaking time for everyone,” said Rosemarie Truglio, Senior VP of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop. “We knew we had to respond to 9/11, but we had to tread carefully because our audience is so young, and parents turn to educational programming to provide a sense of security for their children.”
The main challenge was figuring out how to help preschoolers grasp the aftermath of a terrorist attack without causing them undue fear. Metaphors provided the solution.
Instead of showing a terrorist attack in Manhattan, the creators of Sesame Street chose to depict a kitchen fire in Hooper’s Store. There were no flames, only smoke. The scene focused on teaching children important safety tips in case of fire: find an adult, evacuate, or 'stay low and go' to alert the fire department.
However, the heart of the episode came after the fire. Sesame Street used Elmo, its youngest and most sensitive character, to help children manage their feelings of fear and anxiety. As real-life firefighters from the Fire Department of New York made Hooper’s Store safe again, Elmo was shown trembling, traumatized by the smoke, flashing lights, and unfamiliar firefighting gear. He was afraid he could never return to the store.
But with some gentle guidance from Bill, a kind firefighter, Elmo learned that the protective gear was there to keep everyone safe. Bill reassured Elmo that firefighters, despite their intimidating appearance, are there to help. A visit to the firehouse and a ride on a fire truck later, Elmo overcame his fear and felt secure again.
