Thoughts for the Week:

For most of us, the giving and receiving of food is closely associated with the giving and receiving of love. That's not really surprising when you think that children's earliest experiences with nourishment are also among their first indications that someone cares for them. Mealtimes can take on a deep significance for children. And if they're separated from their parents at mealtimes, they may feel especially lonely because food may remind them of their parents' loving care. Helping children talk about those lonely feelings can be very helpful to them.

Summary of the Week:

This week of programs offers a child's perspective on food -- looking at where food comes from, how it gets on the table, what it means to have enough and what it means not to. Mister Rogers shows children that food doesn't just magically appear. He visits places where people make vegetable soup, applesauce and tofu.

In the fantasy world of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, puppets and characters help children understand about sharing food with people who don't have enough.