Resources - Program Ideas - Won't You Be My Neighbor Days Program Ideas for Children

Be Creative! Be Imaginative! Be inventive! Be Resourceful!

This is the first time for us, too, so there are lots of opportunities to be creative, imaginative, inventive and resourceful. We know that most of you have some activities planned for the day, and you and your staff may want to know more about Fred Rogers' approach to being a caring neighbor. If you're still considering what to offer, we're glad to offer some guidance and ideas. We recognize that each location is unique - with its own resources and possibilities - and you know best what might work with the children and families you serve.

By being a caring neighbor and welcoming them in, you are inspiring them to be caring neighbors, too!

To help you understand and appropriately represent Fred Rogers' approach to "neighborliness," here are some basic themes, along with his quotes and our general suggestions.

Appreciating our uniqueness

"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has - or ever will have - something inside that is unique to all time. "
Think of ways that allow everyone to know that his or her ideas and creations have value. Keep in mind that we discourage contests - because that singles out one or a few "winners."
Encouraging generosity
"We all need to feel that we have gifts to give that are acceptable and valued."
" All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we're giving or receiving…, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world..."
To celebrate our 30th year on PBS, we asked local PBS stations to launch their own Mister Rogers' Sweater Drive. Other institutions have successfully mounted them, too. You may want to include a Sweater Drive with your event or activities around this day.
While it may be tempting to promote an event as "bring something for the needy or less fortunate," Fred Rogers was very clear in stating that people who bring items have needs, too, and those who receive them have strengths. It's better to say, "Bring things for people who need them but can't afford to buy them."
Think of ways for children and families to make things for others or bring items to donate to a food bank. Consider planning events, activities, or stories that encourage generosity.

"Attitudes are caught, not taught" - a Quaker folk saying that Fred Rogers very much appreciated

Showcase people who love what they do and want to share it with children - your staff, artists, scientists, engineers, and other professionals. Their love of what they do is contagious! Sharing their interest is a way for them to be a caring neighbor, too.
Find ways to engage parents - children tend to "catch" the interest of people they love. It works both ways!

Value what children can do - Fred Rogers helped us see the world through the eyes of a young child and think about what's developmentally appropriate for them.

"It may seem that grownups get to do all the big and exciting things and make all the decisions, too. I think it helps children feel good about who they are when we adults put value on the many things children can do. It's a way for us to let them know that we don't want or expect them to be more grownup than they're ready to be - that we really do like them just the way they are."
Think about providing activities that are appropriate for various age groups of children - so they can be successful - and so parents will be less likely to pressure them to be more grownup than they are.
Remember that for young children, process is more important than product. They're generally more interested in "doing" something than "making" something which looks like a finished product.

Caring for the environment - All through the TV series, children see Mister Rogers re-using materials and appreciating nature, etc. Off camera, Fred Rogers took deliberate steps to care for the planet by using two sides of a piece of paper, turning off lights when leaving a room, and reusing his own paper lunch bag.

"I don't believe it's helpful to make young children worry about environmental problems or to make them feel they are responsible for solving those problems. It's enough, I believe, to help children understand more about their world and to encourage them, very early in their lives, to care for the people and things in it."
Think of activities that are appropriate for young children - like recycling greeting cards or making playthings out of throwaways
Help children appreciate nature and the world around them.
Make families aware of what your institution is doing to care for the environment, recycle, green elements, etc.

Helping

"What a good feeling it can be for children to know that it‘s not only adults who are the 'helpers,' but that children can be 'helpers,' too …to know they're accomplishing something helpful and contributing in their own way to the family." [and to the neighborhood]
Think of ways you can encourage children to be helpful in their own family - doing simple chores like setting the table or feeding a pet .
You might want to encourage families to include children in being helpful to their real neighbors, like working at a soup kitchen together, helping to carry in groceries, or holding a door open for someone.
Read books or tell stories about people who have helped others in their communities.

Being a gracious receiver

"'Thank you' is the most important phrase in any language."
Create opportunities for children and families to show, say, or make something as a way to express their thanks to others.

One kind word

"Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person...Sometimes all it takes is one kind word to nourish another person. Think of the ripple effect that can be created when we nourish someone. One kind, empathetic word has a wonderful way of turning into many."
Think of ways to create opportunities for people to offer a kind word or kind deed.

We all thank you, too! Just by opening your doors to the families, you're being a caring neighbor!