Thoughts for the Week:

Learning to channel angry feelings into constructive activities is a hard task, but it's one of the most important things anybody can learn to do. Children's caregivers can help children learn that angry feelings can be expressed -- as long as the children don't hurt themselves or others. We can help them learn other constructive ways like to pound on clay, not on breakable toys, to kick a ball instead of kicking people or to throw a beanbag when they feel like throwing a toy. By setting firm limits, showing what's acceptable and what isn't about the expression of anger, you will be supporting them in some very important lifelong growing.

Summary of the Week:

Does Mister Rogers ever get angry?  Of course he does -- it's what we do with the anger that matters most.  Mister Rogers' most natural way of expressing his feelings is through his fingers on the piano.  Throughout the week he meets with neighbors who channel their energies in other ways, from Maggie Stewart who swims, to a teenager with disabilities who teaches exercises from his wheelchair, to artist Red Grooms who shows some of his whimsical sculptures.  Traveling out of his Neighborhood, Mister Rogers gets swept up in the lively energy of the performers from the off-Broadway production of STOMP!

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, there's a real dilemma when Lady Elaine Fairchilde is infuriated that her painting of Grandpère's Eiffel Tower doesn't turn out the way she wanted.  In her anger, she upsets everyone by magically turning the Eiffel Tower upside-down.  Through the help of an old friend, Lady Elaine finds a way to re-channel her feelings and learns how important it is to keep looking for constructive ways to manage her angry feelings.