G Is for Growing: Thirty Years of Research on Children and Sesame Street (Lea's Communications Series) (Paperback)

by Shalom M. Fisch (Editor), Rosemarie T. Truglio (Editor)
Key Phrases: play date, childhood education, baby bear, Sesame Street, New York, Children's Television Workshop (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This very detailed volume is a comprehensive, reliable source of information about Sesame Streets childrens programming. Of interest to people studying not only Sesame Street, but also early literacy and the role of television and technology in childrens learning. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers/faculty.
—CHOICE

...an impressive synthesis of key research studies done on one of the most influential, pervasive, and enduring childrens televisions programs since its inception in 1969....Very highly recommended reading for students of the television and its cultural influences.
—The Midwest Book Review

G is for Growing helps us get to know the extraordinary workforce responsible for Sesame Street and how research informed their decision making. This book proves that what you need for a nifty childrens television series with worldwide impact is creative genius to design innovative techniques to teach young audiences, lots of money to pay for high-quality production and research, and a healthy public broadcasting system to air a groundbreaking show without commercials.
—Peggy Charren
former President, Action for Childrens Television

At the dawn of the digital age, this rich look back at the research that went into developing the innovative Sesame Street is particularly relevant. The lessons learned from the Childrens Television Workshops unprecedented success in childrens educational programming offer a valuable resource for those concerned about the future of a quality childrens media culture.
—Kathryn Montgomery
President, Center for Media Education

Created more than 30 years ago, Sesame Street shines as a beacon of light for the best of what childrens television can be. G is for Growing: Thirty Years of Research on Children and Sesame Street...is a must read for all who believe that media hold rich promise and can fulfill the educational needs of our children.
—Sandra Calvert
Georgetown University

Product Description
What began as an attempt to help preschool children become ready for school has grown into a cultural icon. Sesame Street has been viewed in more than 130 countries and for 30 years has entertained and enlightened children across the United States and around the world. It was the first series to employ empirical research as an integral part of its production; formative research was--and continues to be--used on an ongoing basis to inform production decisions, while summative research has been used to assess the show's educational impact on its target audience.

This book collects and synthesizes key aspects of research on Sesame Street over the past 30 years. It describes the process by which educational content and research are integrated into production, reviews major studies on its impact on children, and examines the extension of the show into other cultures (via international coproductions such as the Mexican Plaza Sesamo, the Russian Ulitsa Sesam, or the joint Israeli-Palestinian Rechov Sumsum/Sha'ara Simsim) and other media (e.g., hands-on child-care materials, print, CD-ROMs). The book also draws upon data and experiences regarding Sesame Street to explore broader topics such as methodological issues in conducting media-based research with young children, the longitudinal impact of preschoolers viewing educational versus noneducational television, and cross-cultural differences in the treatment of educational content, among many others. As an invaluable chronicle of the research generated by the Children's Television Workshop, this volume also offers tremendous insight for all interested in children and television.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805833951
• ISBN-13: 978-0805833959
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #685,568 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why "The Street" Succeeds, June 22, 2001

By	Gary Dreibelbis "gdreibel" (San Anselmo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Sesame Street, one of television's most significant shows, continues to educate children after 30-plus years on air. The success of the program is due, in large part, to a focus on research and curriculum development. The curriculum has evolved over the history of the show from being primarily cognitive to including many affective elements. This book shows the development of Sesame Street's curriculum and the development of other media. It is a must read book for those interested in childhood development, children's television, and fans of the show. After reading this book, one appreciates the fact that the success of the show is no accident.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive synthesis of key research studies, April 28, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

"G" Is For Growing: Thirty Years Of Research On Children And Sesame Street is an impressive synthesis of key research studies done on one of the most influential, pervasive, and enduring children's televisions programs since its inception in 1969. The contributors examine, analyses and comment upon the processes by which educational content and research are integrated into production for a show which began for the purpose of preparing preschool children for school and went on to become a world-wide cultural icon. Very highly recommended reading for students of the television and its cultural influences, "G" Is For Growing also explores methodological issues in conducting media-based research with young children; the longitudinal impact of preschooler viewing of educational versus non-educational television; and cross-cultural differences in the treatment of educational content.