Ahlan Simsim Findings

Our research in the Ahlan Simsim initiative shows that several of its programs had substantial impact on children’s language, numeracy, and social-emotional development. Findings from three randomized controlled trial (RCT) impact evaluations demonstrate that flexible, user-centered, evidence-based and culturally relevant early childhood services integrated with media content can support a wide range of child development outcomes, strengthen children’s learning at school and at home, and support lifelong positive outcomes - all with significant implications for delivering early learning in humanitarian and other contexts where traditional in-person schooling is not possible.

RCT of a remote early learning program in Lebanon

In Lebanon, Ahlan Simsim's 11-week remote preschool program with educational media integrated into the curriculum produced statistically and developmentally significant impacts on children, particularly for literacy, numeracy, social-emotional, and motor skills, comparable to a year of in-person preschool programs. The results of the program, which was implemented remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, show the tremendous potential of this approach to remote preschool with implications for contexts where in-person services aren’t possible, whether due to a pandemic, conflict, natural disaster, or in rural or low-resource settings.

Findings from mass media evaluation in Jordan

Watching the Ahlan Simsim TV show significantly increased children’s ability to identify emotions and apply a simple regulation and coping strategy. These "emotional ABCs” form a crucial foundation for all young children, but especially those who have experienced adversity. The findings from a study conducted in Jordan underscore the ability of educational mass media to achieve key learning outcomes while reaching children at scale.

Findings from audio-only caregiver program in Jordan

Figshare download. Cover image of audio-only caregiver program brief that hovers between English and Arabic language versions.

Though a brief, phone-based, audio-only parenting intervention in Jordan, adapted as a remote version of a home visiting program in response to COVID-19, did not show impacts on parent behaviors or child outcomes, it did reduce caregiver depression. Program’s facilitators were trained in responsive listening and non-judgmental rapport and used these skills during well-being check-ins with caregivers. These were key drivers of the reductions in depressive symptoms and offer insight on ways that remote programming can encourage caregiver mental health.

The Ahlan Simsim Initiative

Ahlan Simsim (“Welcome Sesame” in Arabic), which ran from 2018 to 2024, is an initiative created by Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to deliver early childhood development and learning to children affected by conflict and crisis in the Middle East. Launched with the support of the MacArthur Foundation’s first-ever $100 million 100&Change award, and additional support from the LEGO Foundation, Ahlan Simsim was the largest early childhood intervention in the history of humanitarian response, reaching more than 1 million children through direct early childhood services and playful learning in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria and over 23 million children across the Middle East and North Africa through a locally produced Arabic language version of Sesame Street.