Modeling Acceptance

Gina Beneccio, Early Childhood Education Major, Children’s Studies Minor, Saint Vincent College Class of 2025 

As a Fred Rogers Scholar, I have had the opportunity to research and learn about the many topics Fred found important. During my time as an undergraduate education student at Saint Vincent College, I was always interested in the work Fred accomplished in disability awareness and inclusion. When given this opportunity to do more research as an “Inquiry Scholar,” I thought this was the perfect topic. As I began my research in the Fred Rogers Archive, I wanted to make sure I could include Saint Vincent College in my research.

Fred created a week of episodes on inclusion which aired from July 27-31, 1998, titled You and I Together.  He spent the week learning about different disabilities and ways to communicate, with a special focus on introducing children to others that may look or do things differently than they did. During this time, he encouraged caregivers to talk to their children about if they had ever felt left out. The episodes focused mainly on physical disabilities. Fred received many letters from families and children with disabilities thanking him. Many who wrote letters mentioned that it was the first time they had felt seen on television. One mother of a 12-year-old girl wrote, “I know that you are a special person as you treat all the children you know as your friends even though they have many problems.”

During my research, I interviewed a valuable member of Saint Vincent College, Fr. Philip Kanfush O.S.B. He is an education professor at Saint Vincent College with an extensive background in education and special education, among many other topics. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Bearcat B.E.S.T. Program at Saint Vincent College.

In a Summer 1998 newsletter on the inclusion episodes, Fred wrote, “When adults are uncomfortable and say things like, ‘Don’t stare,’ and move children quickly past people with disabilities, the children pick up cues that certain differences mean ‘something’s wrong’ or should be avoided. Because children are sensitive to our verbal and nonverbal cues, it’s particularly important that they see adults modeling acceptance.” Fred also suggested that families acknowledge a noticeable disability early when you first meet that person. I asked Fr. Philip how he handles these first interactions. He explained, “I do not acknowledge the label because I am not interested in the label or the wheelchair.” He continued to describe that Fred had the focus on children not being afraid when they see someone with a physical disability and taking the mystery away. He reminded me that children may have a more literal or vocal reaction whereas adults should not. This is why Fred wanted to take the mystery away for children. 

One focus I had when speaking with Fr. Philip was the way that Fred’s message could be extended to disabilities that are not visible. I asked him how I could do this since they were not talked about on the episodes. Fr. Philip explained that the values are very similar and that we should respond the same way he had mentioned before. He reminded me to remember humanity. He continued saying, “the lack of inclusion is a loss to us because we can learn many things like how to be resilient or a better person.”

In a 1975 column on episodes 1371-1375, when talking about someone who was deaf and had a speech impediment, Fred wrote, “A person’s voice isn’t the important thing. It’s the person that’s important.” Upon reflection, Fr. Philip emphasized that when Fred says voice, he meant voice as in how we behave. “It is truly what we say versus what we do.”

As a current student teacher in a fourth grade classroom with a variety of abilities, I always try to be intentional with my words and actions. We have a student with a personal care assistant in our classroom. I know that my students are always watching how the adults in the room are interacting with this student. I speak to this student the same way I do the rest of my students, and I remind others that they should be doing the same. I believe that when we change our tone of voice or how we act, it sends a message to the other students that this student should be treated as though they are younger or lesser than the rest of the class- which is not the case. The students are in upper elementary and have known this student and the personal care assistant for many years, so there are few “mysteries” like Fr. Philip mentioned. However, we are always learning from each other. There are special talents that this student has that I do not. Like all of my students, each one brings something special to our classroom, and it is my job to acknowledge and honor those gifts. 

Sources:

Fred Rogers Archive

Kanfush, P. (2024, December 3).