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Research groups composed of educators, psychologists, advertising people, film makers and children's authors met at five three-day seminars in the summer of 1968. Simultaneously Dr. Edward L. Palmer, an associate research professor in Oregon's state system of higher learning, began working with children across the country. "We learned that what bores them is too much time spent on any one subject." Hence the short spots. Also, "Nothing loses them faster than an adult full-face on the screen just talking." Hence the Muppets, the graphics and the film clips. "We try to keep verbiage to a minimum," Palmer adds. "If you sit and talk straight at them, kids think you're giving them Walter Cronkite."
So great is enthusiasm for this series that the three commercial networks have taken unprecedented steps to publicize it. ABC did interviews with Mrs. Cooney and Dr. Palmer for its network news show. CBS is running, free, Sesame Street commercials. And last Saturday NBC presented a half-hour special about the series. Sesame Street deserves the attention.