| Category | Details |
| Title | Bert and Ernie Make a Movie |
| Season & Episode | Season 47, Episode 4728 |
| Main Muppets | Bert, Ernie, Elmo, Rubber Duckie |
| Director | Ernie |
| Letter of the Day | S (for Storytelling) |
| Number of the Day | 4 |
| Theme | Imagination and the creative process of filmmaking. |
| Key Segments | Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures, Elmo's World: Books. |
| Air Date | July 15, 2017 (HBO) / March 12, 2018 (PBS) |
Street Story Summary
Bert reads a book in the park. Ernie and Elmo show up with a camera. They're dead set on casting Bert in their film. Bert's into his quiet literature, but he's still part of the production.
Creative challenges pop up during the shoot. Bert plays a lassoing cowboy and a treasure hunting pirate. Ernie sings songs to help Bert brainstorm ideas. Bert's got the lowdown on navigating the desert and the high seas.
Bert loses his hesitation. He insists on playing a moon alien in the final sci-fi scene. He makes up alien sounds and sings the theme song. He's feeling more and more confident. Ernie finishes the shoot and heads to lunch. A starstruck Bert follows him. Bert's got ideas for a sequel.
Parent's Guide
Bert reads a book on oatmeal. Ernie arrives with a grand vision for a movie. He doesn't pressure Bert. Ernie uses excitement to pull his friend into the story. Kids can get stuck in a rut or be reluctant to try new activities. This story shows that you don't have to push. You only need to invite. Turn an activity into a shared adventure instead of a chore. This helps your child move from a comfort zone to a world of creativity. Use this invitation style to focus on fun and partnership.
Bert freezes when the camera rolls because he doesn't know the rules of his role. Ernie doesn't criticize him. He sings a song to get the creative juices flowing. This is a lesson in educational scaffolding. Kids shut down when they feel overwhelmed by tasks like writing or acting. Ernie's song is like a mental bridge. It connects known facts to new tasks. Break down complex instructions into simple steps at home. This makes a moment of failure into a process of thought. You give your child the tools they need to solve problems.
Bert doesn't wait for instructions during the space scene anymore. He takes the lead and decides to play the alien. He even sings his own theme song. Bert develops agency. He starts out not really wanting to be a part of it, but ends up as a creative lead. This change is key for growth. Give your child space to make choices within a game. This builds confidence. Let your child switch up the script during family activities. This helps them develop leadership and self-expression skills.
Bert starts the day wanting some peace and quiet. He ends it by following Ernie and shouting movie ideas. His imagination went into overdrive. The hardest part is always getting started. The creative engine generates its own momentum. It's worth putting in the effort to engage a resistant child. Once they find their groove, they really get into it.
Elmo uses a stuffed penguin to enter the space adventure. Storytelling is a universal bridge. A simple toy can be anything. This lets different friends join the same world.
Bert gets really excited when he finds out what a pirate or alien can do. These little discoveries are building blocks of joy. Celebrate the moment your child understands a concept. This reinforces their love for learning and play.
