| Category | Details |
| Episode Number | 0276 (Season 3 Premiere) |
| Season | Season 3 (1971-1972) |
| Air Date | November 15, 1971 |
| New Humans | Maria, Luis, Rafael, Molly, Antonio |
| New Muppet | Mr. Snuffleupagus (Aloysius Snuffleupagus) |
| Primary Letter | M |
| Primary Number | 20 |
| Concepts | Cooperation, Bilingual Counting, Spanish/English body parts |
| Human Cast | Gordon, Susan, Bob, Mr. Hooper, David, Rafael, Luis, Maria, Molly |
| Muppet Cast | Big Bird, Snuffy, Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar |
| Street Highlights | Oscar walks in his can; Ernie drinks Bert's soda; Snuffy sprays water |
| Musical Feature | Joe Raposo’s "Which Comes First, the Chicken or the Egg?" |
| Sponsors | M, 2 |
Street Scenes
The third season starts with the arrival of Maria, Luis, and Rafael. These neighbors are pretty active on the Spanish-language front, and they've even started using some of those words around the block. Ernie's been checking out the physics of a straw at the store. He uses the tool to drink Bert's soda. Rafael and Susan identify body parts in two languages. Oscar the Grouch puts his legs through the bottom of his trash can. He goes to the fruit stand and finds rotten apples. This shows that innovation solves problems even for a grouch.
Big Bird encounters a huge shaggy creature with a trunk. The creature is Mr. Snuffleupagus. The giant feels down, until Big Bird asks for help in the garden. Snuffy uses his long snuffle to spray water on the flowers. The two characters are very close. Big Bird goes looking for Gordon, Susan, and David. He wants them to see his friend. Snuffy takes off before the adults show up. The neighbors see nothing but an empty nest. They laugh and tell Big Bird he has a vivid imagination. Big Bird's feeling frustrated and is asking the audience for help.
The giant returns to the nest later in the afternoon. He proves he's real to Big Bird. They're keeping their secret friendship on the down low. Even if the grown-ups are doubtful, that doesn't change what's actually going on. Big Bird and Snuffy are standing together as the sun goes down. They wave goodbye to you. Gordon announces the sponsors of the day. This partnership is now a permanent part of the neighborhood.
Parent's Guide
Rafael shows Antonio and Monique a fun way to count to ten using playing cards. He speaks Spanish. Susan and Rafael identify eyes and hands in two languages. This lesson helps students become bilingual. Kids learn that the number doesn't change even if the name of the number changes. You're helping your child develop cognitive flexibility.
David, Gordon, and Mr. Hooper see Oscar's trash can walking. Oscar figured out how to move his home so he could keep his treasures. He goes to find rotten apples from Mr. Macintosh. This shows off some pretty creative engineering. You show your child how to change up a space to solve a problem.
Big Bird meets Mr. Snuffleupagus. The creature uses his trunk to water the garden. Big Bird tries to show the adults his new friend. Snuffy leaves before they arrive. The grown-ups tell Big Bird his friend is just in his imagination. Big Bird asks the audience for validation. This segment is all about perspective. It talks about how frustrating it is for kids when people don't believe in their experiences. You build a bond of trust by acknowledging a child's reality.
Ernie has no idea how to use a straw. Mr. Hooper breaks down the physics of suction. Ernie practices the skill until he drinks the soda belonging to Bert. It teaches basic physics and social boundaries. You use this example to talk about sharing. Talk about how important it is to respect other people's property, even when you're practicing a new skill.
Big Bird carries a letter M. He meets Maria. She says the letter M is the first letter in her name. This uses letter name association. You can help your child memorize names by linking them to familiar letters. This makes new people feel like part of the community.
There's a cartoon that shows a guy inviting the letter M to dinner. The letter makes a sound and eats the objects on the screen. This sensory mnemonic links the sound of the letter to a physical action. You can use the sound of eating to help your child remember the letter.
