Play to Learn: Helping children learn, play, and thrive through crisis
ince 2018, we have partnered with Sesame Workshop, alongside BRAC and the International Rescue Committee, through Play to Learn to help children affected by conflict and crisis learn, play, and develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive.
Combining strengths for children
Play to Learn brings together partners with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to children. Sesame Workshop contributes educational, playful, research-based educational media, which BRAC and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) deliver through locally relevant programmes for children and caregivers. That content reaches families both through these programmes and at scale through high-reach media platforms, including television broadcast and digital channels such as YouTube. Building on the success of the first phase of Play to Learn (2019-2025), we are now supporting a three-year second phase led by Sesame Workshop in partnership with BRAC and the IRC. Using three mutually reinforcing pathways of expansion, institutionalisation, and mass media, this phase scales proven play-based approaches to reach more children and families through flexible, multisectoral, and context-responsive interventions to reach and sustain impact for children affected by crises and displacement. Initially focused on the Middle East and Bangladesh, Play to Learn has grown to reach children in humanitarian settings across multiple regions. Alongside direct services, the partnership has developed adaptable resources such as the Watch, Play, Learn early learning videos, which have been adapted into over 27 languages for use across diverse cultures and emergency contexts. Our partnership with Sesame Workshop extends beyond Play to Learn. In South Africa, we have supported children's learning and development through the local Sesame production Takalani Sesame , where we leveraged television broadcast, digital media, and school and community partnerships to support playful problem-solving and social and emotional learning. During the COVID pandemic, we worked together to provide play-based media resources that helped children and caregivers continue learning and build resilience across several regions, including the Middle East, Bangladesh, Latin America, and South Africa. Reaching children at scaleSince its launch, Play to Learn has reached more than 33 million children, caregivers and facilitators across 32 countries through broadcast media and direct services. Research by New York University Global TIES for Children shows that Play to Learn's educational media can strengthen children's social and emotional development, deepen learning, and support stronger relationships between children and caregivers, even in challenging circumstances.Innovation through partnershipNo single organisation can meet the needs of children affected by conflict and crisis alone. By combining expertise in educational media, research and community-based programming, our partners have developed evidence-based, adaptable solutions that continue to support children even when traditional services are disrupted.
Facts
Partner: Sesame Workshop with BRAC and IRC
Partner since: Sesame Workshop and the LEGO Foundation first partnered in 2015
Collaborators: BRAC and IRC are direct service partners in the Play to Learn programme
Funding: DKK 938 million (EUR 125.5 million)
About Sesame Workshop Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street and much more. For over 50 years, Sesame Workshop has worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. The beloved characters, iconic shows, community outreach, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 190 countries and advance the mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.