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Mr Rogers Writes To Keep Families Talking

BY ANDREA ZIMMERMANN

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood. And it's not so bad outside, either,

now that Fred Rogers is writing books to help kids understand new experiences

such as "Going to the Dentist," "Going to the Potty," "When a Pet Dies" and

"The New Baby."

The series of Mister Rogers' First Experience Books are full of large color

photographs depicting the people, equipment, and situations that children may

encounter. The pictures are accompanied by thoughtful explanations of what

might happen in a particular situation or setting. For instance, in Going to

the Hospital, the author writes, "Nurses and doctors sometimes need to wear

masks over their noses and mouths. But you'll still be able to see their eyes,

and you can be sure they're still the same people underneath their masks - the

same people who are helping you get well."

Fred Rogers obviously knows how kids think. In Going to the Doctors he writes,

"When doctors look and listen to the inside of your body, they can't ever see

or hear what you're thinking or feeling. No one can do that!" And in Going to

the Potty, he explains, "Have you ever watched a toilet flush? All that water

can make a lot of noise. Toilets are meant to flush away only things we don't

need." The host of the well-known children's show also tackles the topics of

moving, day care, making friends, and going on an airplane. Each book in the

series costs $5.95.

"Talking openly with our children about what something new will be like - what

will probably happen and what won't happen - can help lessen their fears about

facing something new and difficult. And encouraging our children to talk

openly with us about their feelings can be an important step toward helping

them to manage those feelings," writes Mr Rogers as way of introduction to the

series. Mr Rogers also has a series of pamphlets entitled, Let's Talk About

It, which are designed to help parents talk with older children about issues

such as going to school, and to consider the importance of fostering

creativity. The books are produced by Family Communications, a non-profit

company dedicated to children, their families, and those who support them.

Through the production of materials in all media, their goal is to encourage

open and honest communication. The company believes a respect for healthy

emotional, social, and intellectual development is the basis for everything we

do. Other material distributed by Family Communications includes Different and

the Same: Helping Children Identify and Prevent Prejudice.

Created to help teachers of grades one through three address issues of

prejudice and discrimination, the project includes nine videos (each under 15

minutes), a teacher's guide, and a teacher training workshop facilitator's

guide and video segment. The videos, set in a school environment, are a series

of dramatic stories that highlight themes such as stereotyping, excluding

others, speaking different languages, friendships across racial lines, and

standing up against prejudice.

The award-winning programs use animal puppets to present complex issues in

understandable and attractive ways. The puppets represent school children who

resolve difficult situations with the assistance of teachers and others played

by actors.

The storyline for Sticks and Stones, for instance, shows several older kids

making fun of Cat-a-lion by calling him names. Humiliated, he feels powerless

and hurt and reacts by calling Arthur names. When he is caught in the act by

Mrs Chung, the principal, Cat-a-lion reluctantly admits doing it to feel more

powerful. Mrs Chung sympathizes and helps Cat-A-lion understand why taking out

his feelings on Arthur was wrong and why it hurt Arthur. Cat-a-lion realizes

his mistake and makes up to Arthur by apologizing and inviting him to his

birthday party.

For more information on these books and materials, call or write Family

Communications, 4802 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412-687-2990.