Thoughts for the Week:

Pets can play an important role during a child's early years. They often serve as trustworthy listeners for a child's secrets and feelings of loneliness, sadness, fear or joy. When grownups don't have time to play or listen, when a parent has scolded a child, or when a child is frightened by something (the dark, a thunderstorm), the pet is often there - available and comforting. A pet can also teach children important things about responsibility, caring and discipline. By helping care for a pet, children can learn that pets are living creatures, not just toys, and that all living creatures need to be treated with consideration.

Summary of the Week:

Small animals like kittens, parrots, rabbits, dogs and a hamster are featured this week. But Mister Rogers also visits the National Zoo to see the giant panda, as he helps children understand that some animals make good pets and others don't.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Ana Platypus is deciding what kind of pet she would like for her birthday. While Lady Elaine Fairchilde gets carried away planning a party with whales and apes, Ana prefers a pet she can hug, like a kitten.