Health Equity: Build on Families’ Strengths
Sesame Street in Communities
May 9, 2023
There are many ways grown-ups can help children take care of their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Our partners at Sesame Street in Communities have created new resources to help all families build healthy habits as a foundation for lifelong well-being. These new resources focus on the importance of healthy teams, as well as the importance of whole-child wellness. The new bilingual (English and Spanish) resources include a new digital storybook featuring Rosita and her pediatrician and two documentaries featuring real families talking about the ways that they stay healthy.
Rosita’s Favorite (Storybook)
Check-ups are an important opportunity for caregivers, healthcare providers, and children to share information, build trust, and work together to help kids stay healthy in body and mind. You know your child best, and there are lots of little things you notice every day that you can share with your healthcare provider. Plus, communicating openly with their doctor can be a great way to help little ones feel more comfortable at the doctor’s office.
As you read the story with children, discuss the different parts of Rosita’s life that Rosita and Abuela talk about with Dr. Julius. Does your child have a favorite way to move their body, like Rosita? Together, brainstorm a couple things to share at your child’s next check-up.
My Whole Healthy Life: Meet Reignen (Video)
Meet Reignen Yellowfish and his family! Within their Native American community, they care for each other and support one another in being healthy, centered, and relaxed in many different ways. Health is more than going to the doctor!
Share this video with children and notice how Reignen’s family shares examples of the many ways adults can help children nurture their own physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. For the Yellowfish family, this includes being close to their family, to their community and people, to their culture and language, and to the Earth.
Reignen’s parents and elders tell him they’re proud of him. He demonstrates and practices respect for himself, his family, his community, traditions, language, and the Earth. There are so many ways to support your child in growing up healthy in mind, body, and spirit, such as:
- Talking and laughing with your children
- Making sure they eat healthy foods, keep their bodies clean, and brush their teeth every day
- Spending active time outdoors
- Supporting learning new skills and exploring interests
- Helping others
After you watch, on your own, you might think about:
- What new activities might you like to try with your child that support the health of their bodies, minds, and spirit?
- What information would you like to share with your child about your extended family or community that they can be proud of?
- What do you want your child to know about their history and culture? How might you explore it together?
- What healthy habits would you most like your child to learn from you?
My Whole Healthy Life: Meet Wa.Sta.Tse (Video)
Meet Wa.Sta.Tse and her family! Within their Native American community, they do many things to care for and support each other in being healthy, relaxed, and centered. Staying healthy isn’t just about going to the doctor!
Share this video with children and watch as the Hammer family shares examples of the many ways adults help children take care of their physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. Aunties, uncles, and grandparents all play a special role in helping children grow!
Young people like Wa.Sta.Ste are important teachers, too. Wa.Sta.Tse stays healthy in body, mind, and heart by dancing pow-wow, getting regular checkups at the doctor, and resting at night—and she helps her little brother learn these routines too. She’s also teaching him words in their family’s native language, Osage. Besides learning Osage, Wa.Sta.Tse carries on the culture of her ancestors by learning beading from her grandmother.
After you watch, on your own, you might think about:
- Any new activities or habits you may want to introduce to help your child stay healthy in different ways (nature walks, preparing healthy foods, learning new things, regular doctor visits, and so on).
- Ways in which you might center and relax together as a family (stargazing, dancing, crafting, family meals, and so on).
- Ways you can set up opportunities for your child to teach a younger sibling or friend, like Wa.Sta.Tse teaches her younger brother to count in Osage.
For more resources, visit Sesame Street in Communities Health & Hygiene page.