Vanderbilt study: Does watching 'Sesame Street' make children kinder?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) - Does watching"Sesame Street" make children kinder?

That's what Vanderbilt University researchers are trying to determine with a new study involving 300 Nashville-area children.

Special education professor Mary Louise Hemmeter is leading the study, "Sesame Street Season 47 Focus on Kindness." It's funded by a $100,000 grant from Sesame Workshop.

Children will be divided into two groups. One group will watch 12 episodes of "Sesame Street" while the other group will watch nature-themed documentaries, according to Vanderbilt's website. Parents will be asked to watch the shows with their children multiple times a week and talk with their children about the episodes. Parents will then complete a survey focusing on their child'skindness, empathy, compassion, feelings and gratitude.

“Developing positive social relationships and communicating emotions effectively is important to a child’s success in school and life. I can’t think of a better way to start than learning to be kind to others," Hemmeter said.

Results of the study are expected to be available this summer.