Thoughts for the Week:

Helping has two sides -- asking for help from others and giving help to those around us. Children feel nourished when someone they love takes care of them by helping them. But it is just as nourishing for children to know that they can be helpful to others as well.

Summary of the Week:

Everybody needs help sometime.  During this week, children meet people who receive help from others -- including Mister Rogers getting help as he learns Chinese calligraphy, children who have help with creating through arts and music, and an African dance troupe whose help has come from friends and families.  Each one has found that help from their families, friends, and teachers has been a source of inspiration and strength.

Paralleling the theme of the week, the story in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe centers around Lady Elaine Fairchilde who is frightened of vacuum sweepers and afraid to ask for help.  Instead of talking about her concerns, she gathers up every single sweeper.  The Make-Believe story helps children understand that adults do care about their feelings and fears and that when they ask for help, we will be caring listeners.  Often listening is the best help of all!