Ups and Downs of Friendship
Thoughts for the Week:
For a child, friendship is a way to
begin learning about people who aren't family members. Early friendships can be
close ones for a child, and often, as friends come and go, these friendships
lead to painful separations. I know of a four year old who moved to a new
house and had to leave several close friends. In talking with his parents at
the time, he expressed a lot of anger about being taken away from them, and
when he visited his old neighborhood a year later, he broke into tears again
when it was time to leave. Learning to cope with the many goodbyes in our
lives takes time -- and help.
Friendship is also a way for
children to learn about managing strong feelings like anger, love, and
jealousy. Every friendship has its ups and downs. When friends, early in
life, have a chance to work through problems and difficulties, they can learn
that part of friendship is coming together after a disagreement to build a
relationship that is even stronger than it was before.
-- Fred Rogers
Summary of the Week:
During this week, Mister Rogers
visits many of his neighbors -- his friends. He meets Betty Aberlin's musician
friends, helps Bob Trow with magic tricks, and buys shoes at another friend's
shoe store. Mr. McFeely even takes time out from his "speedy deliveries" to go
with Mister Rogers to see some children having fun with songs and movement.
But there are ups and downs in
friendships in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Some friends enjoy quiet
time, just being together. Others inadvertently hurt one anothers' feelings by
being forgetful or bossy. Eventually, misunderstandings are cleared up,
apologies made, forgiveness granted, and friendship celebrated.
