For 5-year-olds, it’s timeless

“Sesame Street Live,’’ which comes to the Agganis Arena next weekend, is going on 30 years, a fact that doesn’t surprise parents who still rely on the show’s iconic characters to teach young children their ABCs and 123s before they inevitably move on to something else.

“I think kids nowadays are technically savvy, so they explore more and discover a lot of stuff on their own, and not necessarily through me anymore,’’ says Lauri Chmielewski, a Needham mother of two (ages 11 and 14). “Even when they outgrew the show, probably when they were around 7 years old and got into ‘Dragon Tales,’ I myself have always adored the show.’’

Chmielewski, who’s also a booking agent for children’s entertainment, has noticed that even as “Sesame Street’’ ages, its curriculum and appeal have kept up with the curve.

“I think their puppets have changed with the times, and they were way ahead with diversity in children’s programming,’’ she says. “They’ve also stayed current with special guest appearances like R.E.M.’’

The stage show is also keenly focused on addressing current events. “Elmo’s Green Thumb,’’ for instance, stressed the importance of children caring for the planet (picking up litter, recycling). Toddlers might not think about those concerns on their own, but they are in fact increasingly more plugged in.

“We’ve seen a significant age compression for children over the years,’’ says Dayna Deutsch, senior vice president of sales and marketing for VEE Corporation, the company that licenses “Sesame Street Live.’’ “They’re moving through children’s properties faster, but the amazing thing about ‘Sesame Street’ is that they may have moved on to something else, like the Jonas Brothers, but they still respect the show and know it.’’

What has changed, Deutsch notes, is how the live show targets its audience, which now skews more toward ages 2 to 5. “The marketing of the live stage show is far more digital-based,’’ she says. “Our average mom is in the 21-to-49 demographic, and that mom is using all the technology that’s out there. We need to be able to reach them that way. We’re on Facebook, but we haven’t started a Twitter account yet.’’

And given how audiences are more technologically sophisticated at younger ages, how does a stage show featuring costumed characters compete with something like the latest CGI creation from Pixar?

“Our production values are obviously very high, but I think there’s something good about a family enjoying a show together, and it doesn’t have to be extremely slick,’’ Deutsch says. “There’s some nostalgia in this for the parent, but you can’t fool children. When they come to the show, they want to see the real Elmo and Big Bird.’’

More than any other show on television, “Sesame Street’’ enjoys a rare popularity that’s passed down through generations — and rightly so.

“I think it represents the best for children’s programming,’’ says Debbie Cavalier, who entertains kids as Debbie and Friends in addition to her day job as Berklee College of Music’s dean of continuing education. “I think they’ve approached it in the right way, combining education and entertainment based on research.’’

As for how “Sesame Street’’ has weathered hip competitors such as “Hannah Montana’’ and “iCarly,’’ Cavalier sees little intersection between those worlds.

“They appeal to different demographics,’’ she says. “Now you have shows like ‘Yo Gabba Gabba,’ but I think ‘Sesame Street’ has inspired more quality in children’s entertainment than any other show. It’s got its place and will never be surpassed.’’