Sesame Street - Search & learn adventures

YMA recommendation

Approved as non-violent media, with caution. Slapstick comedy; Unhealthy eating

2-4

Format: PC and Macintosh (Computer). (Type: Edutainment)
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Year of production	2000
Classification advice
Rating	Unavailable
Consumer advice lines	Unavailable

Other information
Country of origin	USA
Production Company	Children’s Television Workshop

Sherlock Hemlock needs help to solve a variety of mysteries on Sesame Street by completing puzzles and unlocking clues along the way.

mild slapstick comedy with kamikaze critters
some gender stereotyping with some occupations referred to as being only male orientated (eg Cowboy)
the promotion of unhealthy food such as burgers, fries and cola

encourages memory skills, shape and colour recognition, literacy and numeracy, pattern matching and puzzles, and telling time
includes safety lessons for riding bicycles and in cars.

Parents are reminded that children under the age of eight can sometimes be confused or disturbed by slapstick comedy. Parents may wish to ask, “Do you think that would hurt if it happened in real life/to you/someone you know?”
Whilst there are certain occupations that are expressly gender specific, most occupations can be successfully undertaken by either gender. Parents may like to discuss various professions and the role in which both males and females could undertake in traditionally stereotyped occupations.
Since this game was developed, the Children’s Television Workshop has undertaken to promote healthier foods and exercise in response to the increase of childhood obesity. For example, Cookie Monster (a character on Sesame Street) now regards cookies as a “sometimes food” and there are more clips of fruit and vegetables and of children eating same. Nevertheless, parents are encouraged to discuss the negative impact of a diet of fatty and sugary foods on their children’s weight and oral health. Several initiatives are available to support parents seeking to make positive changes to their child’s diet such as “Keep your children out of the firing line”; a project by Young Media Australia to raise parental awareness of television food advertising.