It turns out that Big Bird and Elmo are quite the teachers. According to the ”most authoritative study ever done on the impact of Sesame Street,” kids can learn as much from watching the show as attending pre-school. After Sesame Street was introduced, children living in areas it was broadcast reportedly saw a 14% drop in the likelihood of being behind in school. The effects of the show are said to be similar to pre-K programs like Head Start. (CNN, Washington Post)