The impact of Galli Galli Sim Sim on Indian preschoolers

Abstract While educational media can affect young children's development, rigorous studies rarely occur in low and middle income countries. Using an experimental design, researchers investigated the effect of an educational television series (Galli Galli Sim Sim (GGSS), the Indian version of Sesame Street) with 1340 children in 99 preschools in Lucknow, India. Boys and girls, ages three to seven and mostly from low income households, saw 30 min of television five days a week for twelve weeks, varying how much Galli Galli Sim Sim versus other programming children watched. Assessments occurred at baseline, endline, and six weeks later. Hierarchical models showed that Galli Galli Sim Sim receptivity, an independent variable that combines exposure and recall, significantly improved literacy, numeracy, socio-emotional strategies, and nutritional knowledge. Locally-produced educational media should be encouraged as it can positively affect potential school success and child development.