Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood turns 50! Share the love with your children.
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If you are like me, many of you remember waking up in the morning, eating breakfast and then turning on the TV to watch PBS. I would watch Sesame Street and then after Sesame Street, one of my favorite shows, Mister Rogers’ would come on! Mister Rogers’ aired from 1968 to 2001. That is 33 years of great programming for kids and families. If your children are young like mine, most of them have never seen Mister Rogers’ because production of the show stopped before they were even born. But the Internet makes sharing possible. To help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Illinois Edition of PBS LearningMedia has a collection of 45 of the best episodes that you can watch in your home or classroom.
This collection of resources pairs Mister Rogers and Daniel Tiger side-by-side for some of the most thorough, thoughtful, and imaginative educational material for early childhood learners. Parents and teachers can explore episodes from a variety of themes including music and art; animals and the environment; learning fun; and friends, family, and the community. Many of these episodes also introduce young learners to different jobs or career fields helping them to understand the world around them.
One of my favorite side-by-side episodes is Bedtime with Daniel Tiger & Mister Rogers. In this video, they use articles, video clips, and activities to demonstrate what helps them fall asleep. Mister Rogers even talks about how the dark can be scary sometimes hoping to create a relaxing and safe environment for kids. Or another great episode to highlight is Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Electric Cars and Wheelchairs. Here, Mister Rogers rides in an electric car and talks with his neighbor, who has a physical disability, about using a wheelchair. This episode explores how cars are built and shows how electric cars can work.
The lessons and caring spirit that Mr. Rogers helped instill in our children is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. Enjoy together!