‘Sesame Street,’ ‘Headspace’ Team to Ease Kids’ Tensions

“Sesame Street” and “Headspace” have teamed up to create “Monster Meditations,” six animated shorts designed to teach children the fundamentals of mindfulness, meditation and social and emotional learning.

“We’re so excited to be partnering with ‘Sesame Street’ on the new animated shorts,” says Andy Puddicombe, co-founder, “Headspace.” “Learning the fundamentals of mindfulness early in life is an incredibly valuable skill to foster, especially at a time like this, when children and families may be experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety. It not only provides children with a greater sense of calm and clarity, but also helps cultivate the qualities of compassion, creativity and kindness. In knowing that thoughts and emotions do not have to rule their lives, children can grow up empowered, comfortable with who they are and free to explore their limitless potential."

The shorts, roughly three minutes in length, will feature animated versions of “Sesame Street” Muppets having feelings of frustration, impatience, nervousness, disappointment and excitement. Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, will help each character learn various breathing and sensory activities and other mindfulness techniques to better manage everyday scenarios. 

“With today’s unprecedented uncertainty, children may be experiencing a range of big emotions like anger, frustration, disappointment and nervousness,” says Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, senior vice president, curriculum and content, Sesame Workshop. “Through ‘Monster Meditations,’ we are modeling an array of mindfulness strategies and activities to help children manage and regulate their emotions. Whether taking slow, deep belly breaths, shifting attention by playing a game of I-Spy or repeating affirmation self-talk phrases, we’re helping kids pay attention to what is happening around and inside of them.” 

The six shorts will launch on a biweekly cadence on YouTube and YouTube Kids.