Sesame Street Reaches Out To The Military

ARLINGTON, Va. (WUSA) - Elmo and Rosita from Sesame Street told were a huge hit today during a military presentation at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial.

The event was staged to introduce military families to a multimedia outreach program designed by Sesame Street to help children whose parents are facing deployment. The program includes a movie with Elmo and Rosita hosting. It follows families through the various phases of deployment, from departure to return.

Families who received a sneak peek of the film during today's press conference responded positively.

"It was very moving for me," said Barbara Agen-Ryan. "I felt better about the whole experience believe it or not - just having that video and knowing that my son connects with Elmo and Rosita."

In November, Agen-Ryan's husband left for a tour of duty in Iraq. She said the film helps her as much as it helps her son.

"I'm a mom, I'm a wife, I'm a soldier and I'm also a pediatric nurse practitioner," she said. Even with those credentials, it's a very different experience when your loved one is away."

Multiple studies show that routine is key to a child's successful emotional and psychological growth. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, designed the video to show military familys they can have a "new normal," said Gary Knell, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Predictability and sense of normalcy is critical to a child's success and that's part of a social and emotional upbringing. That's no different for military families," he said.

Sesame Workshop will produce and distribute 500,000 kits to families, child care programs, schools, rehabilitations centers and other organizations at no cost.