Fred Rogers wrote this article for Pittsburgh Magazine. He wrote these statements to accompany theme weeks of the Neighborhood. This piece went along with the week on “Play.” Play can help children deal with difficult times in their lives. This article addresses two such situations– when children have to wait, and when they are getting ready to start school.
These pieces of advice encourage parents to comfort their children by giving them tools, such as homemade toys and games, to play through their worries.
Mister Rogers visited the cast of STOMP during "Mad Feelings" week. During the week of programs, Mister Rogers explored the question, "What do you do with the mad that you feel?" Fred was known to go to the piano when he was dealing with angry feelings.
Brockett's Bakery is hosting a group of musicians who sing in Spanish. Rather than just sitting and listening, Mister Rogers joins in on the fun. He learns about and experiments with an instrument that mimics the sound of rain.
These materials tell about the special guests and Neighborhood of Make-Believe storyline from the Neighborhood week on "Fun and Games." Fred Rogers' message seems to be that joining a team and learning a game can be difficult, but persistence and a desire to play can lead to much joy in a sport.
The Fred Rogers Institute Archivist is available for requests and inquiries from students and researchers.