Ulitsa Sezam commemorates Milestone: new topics, characters and storylines!
Ulitsa Sezam, the engaging educational TV program for kids commemorates its milestone 10th year in Russia and will begin new season with new storylines and plots based on what Russian experts say are the most important needs of Russian children.
Ulitsa Sezam, the project of nonprofit organization Sesame Workshop’s, completed new IV season taping. The shooting has been conducted in spring 2006 in studio at Mosfilm. DIXI-TV Productions created 52 new series which Russian viewers can see in fall 2006 on CTC channel. The 4th season like previous seasons is produced with the support of the Nestlé.
New characters join Ulitsa Sezam this season. One of them is Kolya, a fascinating young boy, adopted by Aunt Dinara, of Tatar descent, and her husband Uncle Jura. This storyline reflects the educational objective of diversity, just one of many educational objectives that the new season presents.
Conducting of regular researches dedicated to children’s psychology and education allows Ulitsa Sezam to be in touch with the Russian kids’ needs in a fast-paced world. The latest researches were conducted in 2004-2005 by the team of the leading Russian psychologists, In accordance with it, the curriculum of the program was updated and new current topics were added in areas such as cognitive skills, social- emotional development, and the physical development of young children. Let’s see how these subjects are realized in the program.
Social Skills
In one of the series Zeliboba, Businka and Kubik hear Aunt Dinara speaking Tatar with her relatives from Kazan. Kids will learn that “Salyam” means “Hello” in Tatar. In other storyline Businka asks herself: what if everybody would be equal? She imagines a place where only “Businkas” live and she is horror-stricken about it. Businka has realized: “We all are different, and it’s great!” In addition, in new season popular girl band “Fabrika” sings the new song dedicated specially to diversity.
Physical Development
Ulitsa Sezam is the only program in Russia which shows young viewers the advantages of healthy life-style and motivates them to participate in sports and physical activity. In new season Babushka, the new Ulitsa Sezam character, teaches Zeliboba, Businka and Kubik to make a tasty healthy meal and does gymnastics with them. The warm-hearted doctor, the screen appearance of Olga Prokofieva (Nanny), talks to Businka about the importance of visiting the doctor. Also new catchy music dedicated to good nutrition was created specially for the new season: renowned singer Natalya Podolskaya sings new songs about porridge, vegetables and sour milk products.
Cognitive Skills
It is a tradition of Ulitsa Sezam to teach young viewers letters and numbers, prepare them to school and help in the development of creative thinking. The new season continues this tradition through Ulitsa Sezam inspired artwork: Businka shows handiworks made by Russian children in the program and talks about the young creators’ ideas. Touching curiosity, Zeliboba and Businka guess a riddles with TV-presenter Tina Kandelaki. Ulitsa Sezam will expose children to Russian culture as well as cultures from around the world.
Ivan Yantsukevich, Advisor of the Department on the state youth policy, education and social protection of children of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, estimated expert researches for the new season: “Ulitsa Sezam pursues the most noble goals – to foster principles of kindness and respect to other people, which children should follow in their everyday life as future citizens of our country”.
Bernard Meunier, Nestlé’s General director, company which for ten years is the general sponsor of the program, said: “Support of Ulitsa Sezam and realization of “Good Nutrition Program”, where Ulitsa Sezam characters take part – is one of the most important investments Nestle making in Russia. We invest in the education and health of Russian children which is, in effect, the future of Russia.” This year Nestlé commemorates its 10th anniversary of business in Russia.
Contact
PRP Group, A Weber Shandwick Affiliate Company
Ulitsa Sezam Press Service Anna Latuhina
+ 7 495 937 3170
E-mail: Ulitsa_Sezam@prp.ru
