Which television program was specifically designed to educate preschool children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds?

The program designed specifically to educate preschool children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is Sesame Street. Launched in 1969, Sesame Street was created to address various educational needs while also promoting social and emotional learning. It integrates academic content with engaging characters and narratives, making learning accessible and enjoyable for young viewers. Research has shown that Sesame Street effectively prepares children for school by covering essential pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills, particularly focusing on children who may not have access to quality early childhood education.

While Blue's Clues and other shows like Arthur and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood also have educational elements, they do not specifically target the educational needs of disadvantaged preschool children in the same comprehensive and research-backed manner as Sesame Street.