Show By Jeffrey Zaslow Sesame Street: How can you reach kids in the ’90s? Cherished friends from the show that reinvented children’s TV offer sunny advice for cynical times I? OR THE STARS of Sesame Street this month's celebration of the 1 show's 30th anniversary is bitter-I- I 1 sweet “ Sesame Street was created in idealistic times” says Sonia Manzano Manzano who for 26 years has played mother and shopkeeper Maria “There was the civil rights movement the beginning of Head Start There was more serious concern for children Now we live in a society that makes believe it cares for kids” To in a world very different from the one they grew up in “There's a lot more cynicism” says Roscoe Orman Orman who has played sci- 4 ence teacher Gordon since 1973 “VVc try to maintain the flame of idealism but we've tempered it” Here's their advice You can’t hide reality: your children your job is just a job: “Explain the world to kids as it is not the way you think it should be” Parents also must Kids don’t care what job you have or work you do ‘I've never heard a person say 'I had a rotten mother but she’s such a great physicist’ f Sesame Street's first viewers are now in their 30s and many are raising children " recognize that “children today - from get information differently sound bites rather than literature” Talking and understanding are two different things: A lot of kids seem about issues such as sexuality “but just because a kid can spout it out that doesn’t mean he understands it” Don’t rush kids onto the Internet: “People go to such extremes thinking they have to put little kids in front of computers It's enough if they can identify “Kids are still kidsr': “They may be very young and into the Spice Girls but they still want to play dolls” and know that someday they can get information from it” it Learn how to parent from the show: “It’s OK “Watch how adults on Sesame Street relate to the kids There’s a gentle quality an ability to understand the child’s perspective and a respect for them It’s to be grouchy": backed up “Sometimes you have to cry and get the blues Just don’t be mean” Manzano says Adds Oscar the L Marcia Bullard Charles Gabrielson PUBLISHER: Bird’s best advice: ASK SESAME STREET FOR ADVICE who seeks advice By “Some people are very teeny Some are very big But their hearts are all the same nice size” Nov 8 wnte to “Straight Talk” PO Box 3455 Chicaeo Grouch: “If you want to EDITOR: a The folks from Sesame Street will write or call one reader III 60654 (fax: talkusaweekendcom) wake up grouchy put the right side of the bed against a wall” PRESIDENT CEO A research" by psychological Chicago VICE PRESIDENTS: Dave Zaslow is a Co advice columnist Barber Bill Coakley Beth Lawrence Thomas Meisel Creative Manager Casey Shaw Senior Associate Editor: Brenda Turner Associate Editors: Gayle Jo Carter Carol Clurman Director of Operations and New Media: Dierck Casselman Patnoa Edmonds Constance Kurz Lome Lynch Kathleen McCieary Copy Chief: Tom lent Mate A Difference Day Editor Pamela Brorn Staff Writer Dennis McCafferty Tom McNichol Jill Nelson Soiedad O’Bnen Mary Pipher Cokie Roberts Steve Roberts Laura Schlessmger Ken Bums Jean Carper Jean Sherman Chatzky Roger Cossack Stephen Covey George Foreman Monika Guttman Mia Hamm Stephanie Mansfield Photo Desk: Molly Roberts Cindy Art Director Pamela Smith Assistant Art Directors: Clay Auch Nathaniel Levme Technology Manager Treva Stose TabithaSoren James Trefil Greta Van Susteren Jeffrey Zaslow Ettcutrve Editor Amy Eisman Senior Editor Dan Olmsted DU Office Staff: Kate Bond Clins Martin EEDKa Amelia Stephenson IWHHHL'H'liiH! 535 Madison Ave Newark NY 10022 J 1000 Wilson Blvd Arlington Va 22229 AMI Baartt USA WEEKEND BEM he Oct mm 1KJ tatfr 1 1998 OM 19 |