| Category | Details |
| Title | Elmo Comes Clean |
| Season & Episode | Season 47, Episode 4710 |
| Main Muppet Characters | Elmo, Ernie, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster |
| Human Guest(s) | Nina |
| Letter of the Day | B (for Bath and Bubbles) |
| Number of the Day | 12 |
| Theme | Hygiene and making daily routines fun. |
| Lessons & Themes | Overcoming resistance to bath time, understanding that play can continue in the tub, and the importance of being clean. |
| Key Segments | Elmo’s World: Bath Time, "Brushy Brush" (Dental Hygiene), Rubber Duckie Celebrity Montage. |
| Air Date | March 11, 2017 (HBO) / January 8, 2018 (PBS) |
Summary
Elmo tries to get out of his daily bath. His babysitter Nina gives him a ring. Elmo tries to hide in various spots around Sesame Street. His plan doesn't quite go as planned. Every hiding spot makes him dirtier. He hides in Abby Cadabby's flower pot and Big Bird's mud-filled nest. He jumps into Oscar the Grouch's trash can. He's covered in filth. Oscar is over the moon, while Nina is taken aback.
Elmo's feeling a bit grumpy about washing up. Ernie shows up on his way to the tub. He says bath time is a great time for play. He brings out the legendary Rubber Duckie. Ernie lends Elmo a British cousin duck named Bill. Elmo finally embraces the bubbles. He knows that getting clean is a whole other kind of fun. He ends the day feeling good and ready for the next one. He's ready to share his bath toys with Abby.
Parent's Guide
Ernie shows Elmo that he doesn't have to stop playing in the tub. He introduces Rubber Duckie's cousin Bill. This makes a great bath time for the whole family. A lot of kids don't like bath time because they see it as the end of fun. It's actually a great opportunity for sensory play. Water-safe toys and bubbles can make a mundane task more fun and creative. Playing with water helps kids learn about buoyancy and volume. You'll start by relaxing your body before bed. Caregivers can reduce resistance by changing where they play. This helps kids develop positive habits around hygiene.
Elmo hides in a flower pot and a mud-filled nest to avoid his bath. He gets a lot dirtier than he was at the start. You can try to avoid your responsibilities. At the end of the day, your actions make the original task more necessary. Hiding in dirt only creates more work for later.
Elmo gets covered in mud. Oscar the Grouch is thrilled by the mess. He even invites Elmo to chill in his trash can. Not everyone has the same ideas about what counts as clean. Nina wants Elmo to be sparkling, but Oscar thinks the mud is perfect. This shows just how diverse the people on the street are. We all have to follow the same health rules, even if we don't all agree on what they should be. Being clean is a social and health standard. A Grouch thinks a mess is a work of art.
Nina makes sure bath time is thorough and safe. She sets boundaries for a young child that are necessary for its development. Nina is a patient babysitter. She gives Elmo a one-minute warning. She makes sure the water is all set. Having a trusted caregiver makes it easier to stick to a routine.
Ernie lends Elmo a duck named Bill to make his bath better. Elmo later lends Abby that same duck. Sometimes, people need a little help to enjoy a task they're afraid of. Sharing a favorite toy can make a big difference. This kind act helps a friend overcome hesitation. Ernie solves the problem by lending a relative of Rubber Duckie. Elmo keeps the cycle going by passing the favor to Abby. Having people in your community to support you makes every transition easier.
Elmo and Baby Bear chat about how wild animals use rain to bathe. It's all about how our habits are similar to those of animals. Bathing is connected to the natural world. Animals use water to stay clean, just like people. Learning this helps children see hygiene as a natural part of life.
