The expansion includes the development of new broadcast and digital channel content to build awareness and influence audiences, including caregivers, on a national scale. High-touch community-level initiatives will engage lower-income communities through in-school programs and community activities where families spend time together.

Phase two will kick off with a content and planning seminar with “Dream, Save, Do” representatives from Japan, Mexico and Brazil and leading financial empowerment advisors at Sesame Workshop’s New York office this month.

Sesame Workshop and MetLife Foundation have collaborated on global financial empowerment initiatives for families since 2015. Spanning nine countries, the “Dream, Save, Do” initiative has helped children and the adults in their lives set goals, aspire to reach them, make plans and understand that the choices they make every day can help them achieve their dreams.

Comprising multimedia content including animated and live-action segments, interactive games, comics, songs, activity sheets and caregiver guides, the initial phase of “Dream, Save, Do” used Sesame Workshop’s proven research-driven process and “Sesame Street” characters to reach audiences both at a mass scale and through local engagement.

Sesame Workshop and local partners targeted communities in India, China, Chile, the UAE, Egypt and Bangladesh. Summative results showed positive impact, specifically:

“The summative results of the initial phase of the initiative have been very promising, showing that children are successfully learning a variety of concepts core to ‘Dream, Save, Do’–particularly the need for planning and the steps involved in achieving goals,” says Dennis White, president and chief executive officer, MetLife Foundation. “We are proud to be a part of this change. And with Sesame Workshop, we are committed to creating new resources and tools to help families with young children save, plan for the future and prepare for potential setbacks.”

“At Sesame Workshop, we know how important it is to establish a foundation for life skills like setting goals, having aspirations, and overcoming challenges from a young age,” says Sherrie Westin, president, global impact and philanthropy, Sesame Workshop. “Our research shows that ‘Dream, Save, Do’ has given children and families the tools they need for a better financial future. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with MetLife Foundation to build on our learnings and help even more children achieve their dreams.”