"Sunny day...Sweepin' the clouds away..."
One of the joys of having children is getting the chance to grow up all over again. I bob my head in rhythm with Keira's, as she learns to rock out to music. I laugh along in excitement, as Keira joyfully claps her hands. I whisper words of encouragement, as Keira tentatively puts her feet in the grass for the first time.
And I snuggle with Keira on the couch in the mornings, as we watch Sesame Street together. It's been more than twenty years since I've tuned into Big Bird and the gang, but it is with true love and fond memories that I introduce my daughter to my old friends.
What's the big deal? It's just a TV show, right? Well, for one thing, we don't let Keira watch TV. We don't even own any Baby Einstein videos. Sesame Street, however, is different, and I faithfully record it on TiVo just for her.
I grew up on Sesame Street. As the oldest daughter of Chinese immigrants, I only spoke Mandarin at home. Struggling to learn English was hard enough for my parents without also having to deal with the burden of teaching me. Kindergarten was therefore a complete mystery to me. I couldn't understand a word of what was happening, much less interact with the other students and teachers. Without Sesame Street, I would never have survived.
Big Bird, Grover, Oscar, Ernie, Bert, The Count...they were the ones who taught me the ins and outs to the English language. The letters and numbers that sponsored each show helped me understand everything I needed to know. And now, so many years later, I have the chance to share Sesame Street with my own child.
Sesame Street just turned 35 years old, and seeing the fascination and smiles on Keira's face when she watches, I just know it has many more wonderful years ahead.
"...On my way to where the air is sweet...Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"
One of the joys of having children is getting the chance to grow up all over again. I bob my head in rhythm with Keira's, as she learns to rock out to music. I laugh along in excitement, as Keira joyfully claps her hands. I whisper words of encouragement, as Keira tentatively puts her feet in the grass for the first time.
And I snuggle with Keira on the couch in the mornings, as we watch Sesame Street together. It's been more than twenty years since I've tuned into Big Bird and the gang, but it is with true love and fond memories that I introduce my daughter to my old friends.
What's the big deal? It's just a TV show, right? Well, for one thing, we don't let Keira watch TV. We don't even own any Baby Einstein videos. Sesame Street, however, is different, and I faithfully record it on TiVo just for her.
I grew up on Sesame Street. As the oldest daughter of Chinese immigrants, I only spoke Mandarin at home. Struggling to learn English was hard enough for my parents without also having to deal with the burden of teaching me. Kindergarten was therefore a complete mystery to me. I couldn't understand a word of what was happening, much less interact with the other students and teachers. Without Sesame Street, I would never have survived.
Big Bird, Grover, Oscar, Ernie, Bert, The Count...they were the ones who taught me the ins and outs to the English language. The letters and numbers that sponsored each show helped me understand everything I needed to know. And now, so many years later, I have the chance to share Sesame Street with my own child.
Sesame Street just turned 35 years old, and seeing the fascination and smiles on Keira's face when she watches, I just know it has many more wonderful years ahead.
"...On my way to where the air is sweet...Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"
