Sesame Street Discusses Family Members in Jail

The fuzzy, lovable creatures of Sesame Street are tackling another tough issue: incarceration. According to Jezebel, the children’s program has created a tool kit called “Little Kids, Big Challenges” to help kids understand incarceration. With 2 million people incarcerated in the United States, this program will definitely hit home for a number of kids.

The introduction to the program reads:

The incarceration of a loved one can be very overwhelming for both children and caregivers. It can bring about big changes and transitions. In simple everyday ways, you can comfort your child and guide her through these tough moments. With your love and support she can get through anything that comes her way.

The tool kit has resources for parents and family members so that they can explain a parent’s incarceration to young children. There are also worksheets for kids as well as videos starring their favorite characters and a boy puppet named Alex. Alex’s father is in jail but his friends on Sesame Street share their toys and talk about his feelings.

It’s incredible Sesame Street is trying to help families with something so big and so difficult.