Meet Julia (Full Clip | 10 Min)

Alphabets Sounds Video

share us on:

In the Sesame Street episode “Understanding Autism Through Play,” characters Elmo, Abby, Big Bird, and Julia engage in finger painting, highlighting the importance of embracing individual differences. The episode teaches children about autism through Julia’s unique way of playing and interacting, emphasizing the value of inclusion, empathy, and friendship. By celebrating each character’s individuality, the lesson encourages acceptance and understanding of those who may express themselves differently.
  1. How does Julia show us that everyone has their own special way of doing things?
  2. What can we learn from Big Bird wanting to be friends with Julia?
  3. Why is it important to include everyone and celebrate our differences?

Understanding Autism Through Play: A Lesson from Sesame Street

Introduction

In a fun episode of Sesame Street, Elmo, Abby, Big Bird, and Julia have a great time finger painting. This episode is not just about having fun with colors; it also teaches us about autism and how everyone is special in their own way.

The Joy of Finger Painting

The episode starts with Elmo and Abby enjoying finger painting. They love getting their hands messy with paint! But Julia, who has autism, likes to use a paintbrush instead. This shows us that everyone has their own way of doing things, and that’s okay!

Different Ways to Create

Alan, one of the characters, tells everyone that there are many ways to paint. This is a great lesson because it encourages kids to be creative in their own way and not worry about doing things just like everyone else.

Introducing Julia and Understanding Autism

When Big Bird meets Julia, Alan explains that Julia has autism. This means she might not always respond right away or do things the way others expect. Learning about autism helps us understand and accept people who are different from us.

What is Autism?

Autism is a condition that affects how people communicate and interact with others. Kids with autism might express themselves differently and be sensitive to things like loud noises. For example, Julia doesn’t like loud sirens because they hurt her ears.

Embracing Differences

The characters learn to enjoy Julia’s unique way of playing. When Julia plays tag by jumping instead of running, everyone joins in, and they call it “boing tag.” This shows how fun it can be to include everyone and try new things.

The Importance of Friendship

Big Bird wants to be friends with Julia, showing that friendship is about caring for each other, no matter how different we are. Alan tells Big Bird that Julia loves playing with friends, reminding us that everyone deserves friends and kindness.

Coping with Sensory Overload

When Julia gets upset by loud noises, Alan helps her calm down by taking deep breaths. This is a good way for anyone to feel better when things get too noisy or stressful.

Creating a Calming Environment

The characters find a quiet place with pretty flowers, which helps Julia feel calm. This teaches us that having a peaceful space can be helpful for people who are sensitive to noise and other things.

Celebrating Individuality

As the episode goes on, the characters sing a song about how everyone is special in their own way. They celebrate their differences and the happiness of being friends. This shows us that being different is something to be proud of!

The Power of Inclusion

The episode ends with everyone playing together happily. It teaches us that including everyone and accepting differences is important for making friends. By understanding Julia’s special traits, the show helps kids learn about empathy and kindness.

Conclusion

Sesame Street is a wonderful show that teaches kids about important things like autism. This episode helps us learn to accept and celebrate what makes each person unique. Through play, understanding, and friendship, we can all help make the world a more inclusive place.

  • What are some activities you enjoy doing with your friends, and how might you include someone who likes to do things differently, like Julia?
  • Have you ever felt overwhelmed by loud noises or busy places? What are some things you do to feel calm and comfortable again?
  • Can you think of a time when you learned something new about a friend that made you understand them better? How did it change the way you played or talked with them?
  1. Paint Your Way: Gather some finger paints and brushes. Let each child choose how they want to paint—using their fingers, a brush, or even a sponge. After painting, have a show-and-tell session where each child explains why they chose their method. Discuss how everyone has their own unique way of creating art, just like Julia prefers using a brush.
  2. Sound Exploration: Create a “sound garden” using different objects like bells, shakers, and soft music. Let the children explore these sounds and observe which ones they like or dislike. Ask them how they feel about loud and soft sounds. This activity helps them understand how some people, like Julia, might be sensitive to certain noises.
  3. Friendship Circle: Sit in a circle and take turns sharing one thing that makes each child special. Encourage them to think about what makes their friends special too. Discuss how these unique traits make friendships interesting and fun, just like Big Bird and Julia’s friendship.

All Video Lessons

Login your account

Please login your account to get started.

Don't have an account?

Register your account

Please sign up your account to get started.

Already have an account?