Sesame Workshop India (SWI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sesame Workshop, the non-profit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, was established in 2007 to meet the unique needs of vulnerable children in India. Since 2007, SWI has reached over 5 million children across India through the social impact programs. SWI’s programs bring lessons about literacy and numeracy, health, and emotional well-being to children and families, particularly in marginalized communities.

Additionally, through the television show Galli Galli Sim Sim (GGSS), SWI has reached 21.9 million[1] children in the last one year, with content that facilitates their basic academic skills along with lessons on staying healthy and happy, staying safe, appreciating differences and resolving conflict, caring for the environment and resources through stories, songs, and games that engage and entertain them.

Our work in Anganwadi Centers

SWI has extensive experience and expertise working in government run Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across various states in India. Our ECCE program empowers teachers and parents with knowledge and strategies to better engage with children through a playful, stress free, experiential learning process and help them become ready for school and life. This approach is critical in the formative years which is a critical window for brain development.

SWI has implemented ECCE programs in over 20,000 AWC in the country across 10 States in multiple Indian Languages. Currently, we are reaching nearly 300,000 children in 9,000 AWCs in 7 states. We have developed government level partnerships with Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh.

Our Work on Environment

Sesame Worksop – India’s environment program ‘Mera Planet, Mera Ghar (MPMG)’ is designed with and for children between 6-10 years of age and brings in their voices for the first time to the discourse on environmental issues. The MPMG program is built around the powerful idea that children can lead change through awareness and by inspiring adults in their family and community with actionable insights. Leveraging popular media platforms and characters, proven pedagogical approaches, the project supports children in talking about their environment concerns and propose solutions through hyper local campaigns that are replicable.

Our work on Improving Mental Wellbeing outcomes for children

The 'Choti Badi Baatein' program tackles mental wellbeing by involving communities to break the stigma, reaching 5,000 children and caregivers directly and 500,000 through Community Radio in Rajasthan. Strategies include an inclusive curriculum, radio episodes, workshops, and community mobilization. Future plans involve institutionalizing the program in Anganwadi Centers and schools. Achievements encompass a comprehensive mental wellbeing curriculum, and the development of measurement tools using frameworks like CASEL, IDELA, Young Lives, and NIPUN Bharat, contributing significantly to Indian Early Childhood Education.

Our Work on WASH

"WASH UP!" cultivates life-saving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) habits. It aims to foster positive WASH knowledge and behaviors among 14.5 million school children and 4 million digital users across states. Strategies include behavior campaigns, stakeholder engagement, training, and social media. Impact is measured through studies, showing increased hygiene practices. 

Sesame Workshop India (SWI) embodies a range of special features that distinguish it as a leading organization in the field of early childhood education and social impact:

1.  Pedagogical Expertise: As a subsidiary of Sesame Workshop, SWI benefits from decades of research-driven pedagogical expertise, crafting content that maximizes engagement and learning effectiveness. 
2. Localized Content: SWI's content is tailored to resonate with Indian audiences, incorporating culturally relevant elements and characters while maintaining the essence of Sesame Street's educational approach.
3. Holistic Development: SWI's programs extend beyond academics, encompassing health, emotional well-being, environment, and life skills, fostering comprehensive child development.
4. Community Engagement: SWI actively involves communities in its initiatives, utilizing multimedia platforms, workshops, and campaigns to create a supportive ecosystem for children's growth.
5. Inclusive Approach: SWI prioritizes reaching vulnerable and marginalized children, ensuring that educational opportunities are accessible to all, irrespective of background or circumstances.
6. Proven Reach: With a track record of impacting over 5 million children, SWI has demonstrated its ability to scale its programs and make a tangible difference.
7. Partnership Networks: SWI collaborates with government bodies, NGOs, and private sector entities to enhance program reach and sustainability, fostering a collective impact.
8. Innovative Initiatives: From environmental stewardship to mental well-being, SWI addresses critical contemporary issues, proving its adaptability and responsiveness to evolving challenges.
9. Child-Centric Approach: SWI places children at the center of its programs, encouraging their active participation, curiosity, and empowerment through engaging and interactive content.
10. Research-Backed: Every SWI initiative is grounded in thorough research, ensuring that programs align with educational goals and evidence-based practices.
11. Interactive Media: SWI utilizes multimedia platforms, including television shows, digital content, and community workshops, to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences.
12. Long-Term Impact: SWI's initiatives are designed to create lasting effects, equipping children with skills and knowledge that extend far beyond their immediate educational journey.
13. Global Network: As part of the larger Sesame Workshop family, SWI benefits from a global network of experts, resources, and best practices in child development and education.
14. Influence and Recognition: SWI's impact has garnered recognition from governmental bodies, educators, and international platforms, solidifying its position as a thought leader.
15. Sustainability: The interest and support of private sector partners, donors, and collaborators underline SWI's sustainability and its ability to drive long-term change.

These special features collectively position Sesame Workshop India as a pioneering force, dedicated to transforming early childhood education, fostering holistic child development, and contributing to positive societal change.

A corporate partnership with Sesame Workshop India (SWI) presents a unique opportunity to make a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children across the country. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sesame Workshop, the esteemed non-profit behind Sesame Street, SWI has been operating in India since 2007, catering to the distinct needs of underprivileged children. Over the years, SWI has reached an impressive milestone by touching the lives of more than 5 million children through its socially impactful programs.

SWI's programs are designed to address crucial aspects of a child's development, including literacy, numeracy, health, and emotional well-being, particularly within marginalized communities. One of its most notable achievements is the television show Galli Galli Sim Sim (GGSS), which, in the last year, has reached a staggering 21.9 million children. The show delivers essential academic skills while also imparting vital lessons about health, safety, embracing diversity, resolving conflicts, and environmental consciousness, all wrapped in engaging stories, songs, and games.

SWI's work is not limited to the educational domain. They have extended their efforts into areas like environment and mental well-being. Their 'Mera Planet, Mera Ghar (MPMG)' program empowers children aged 6 to 10 to voice their environmental concerns, propelling change within their families and communities. The 'Choti Badi Baatein' initiative addresses mental well-being, engaging communities to dismantle stigmas and promoting healthy mental habits among children and caregivers.

Furthermore, SWI's 'WASH UP!' program emphasizes life-saving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices. This initiative aims to inculcate positive hygiene behaviors in 14.5 million school children and 4 million digital users across multiple states. The strategies employed encompass behavior campaigns, stakeholder engagement, training, and harnessing the power of social media. Through rigorous studies, the program demonstrates a tangible increase in hygiene practices, underscoring its efficacy.

A partnership with SWI offers corporations the chance to align their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals with an organization that has a proven, impactful presence in improving the lives of children. The wide reach, innovative strategies, and commitment to positive change make Sesame Workshop India an ideal partner for any corporation looking to make a lasting and transformative difference in early childhood education and social development.