Elmo says vaccines cause autism.

Cookie Monster prefer long-chain carbohydrates
Yeah
Yeah, and alkaloids like theobromine.
That make cho-co-late. Yeah.

or Elmo could use a scientific research method to solve a simple problem and show kids that you can apply scientific research methods to all aspects of life and that failure is an option.... giving up is not.

From experimental observation, Elmo mostly attracts the spawn's attention followed by teething activities involving Elmo's protuberant eyes.

So Elmo makes a 9 month old into a miniature giant space hamster.

Though I know a lot of people here likely hate how Elmo's been given much, much more screen time in recent years, I've come to realize why. And it's not just because of licensing him to make money.

I've realized that some of the 'Monsters' on sesame street seem to be, well, 'archetypes' for a certain age of childhood. Big Bird's the kindergartner/late preschool kid, in a sense. Learning the alphabet (the most amazing word I've ever seen!), really beginning to explore the world around him and wonder 'Why' about some semi-heavy topics, crafting an elaborate imaginary friend (who was, admittedly, later not-so-imaginary)

Elmo's like the toddler/early preschooler.

And the age demographic of kids watching Seasame Street has shifted. Now that there are a lot of free preschools and kindergarten is pretty standard, the age demographic has dropped, and so they use the monster that most reflects the age of the kids watching the show the most. Because it will be most *helpful* to them.

At least, that's my take on it.

/Was always partial to Grover myself.

Gunny Walker: I saw the other day where it was brought to us by the letter and the number Π

When I was a kid, we were doing well to count to 12. (new window)

The pinball animation was the only reason I like Sesame Street as a kid. The rest was just annoying idiots who couldn't seem to solve simple problems.

Ladybugs Picnic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX9J7WcYtxI

The Typewriter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewx72r1Momg

damn u subby, it's stuck in my head now

This is one of those times that I feel very fortunate: My daughter has been asking for MythBusters and How It's Made since she was old enough to talk. She watches PBS Kids, too, but she loves her "Mif Busters."

I'm not sure what that has to do with the fact that she tries to change the batteries in her toys herself and draws designs for "pumpkin throwers that could also be Angry Birds throwers," but I'm very happy that she thinks science and technology are interesting.

/and explosions
//she loooooves explosions

raged: or Elmo could use a scientific research method to solve a simple problem and show kids that you can apply scientific research methods to all aspects of life and that failure is an option.... giving up is not.

This new curriculum sounds great - but I suspect this "general application of the scientific method" and "criticial thinking about everything" bit is going to be tarred as "leftist propaganda" pretty quick (good thing about it happening on Sesame Street is they don't have to care).

As long as he doesn't teach language since he can't even talk in the first person.

girljen: This is one of those times that I feel very fortunate: My daughter has been asking for MythBusters and How It's Made since she was old enough to talk. She watches PBS Kids, too, but she loves her "Mif Busters."

Milf Busters is an entirely different show, however.