"You are special" is a message that we've been offering to children for over thirty years on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It's a message that's at the core of helping children grow to be caring and sharing human beings. When children feel valued and loved, they are much more likely to want to take good care of themselves -- doing things that keep them healthy and safe. Also, they are much more likely to be able to get along with others -- taking turns and sharing.

Have you seen how children learn to take good care of themselves and get along with others by the examples we set for them? You have so many everyday ways to show the children that you like taking care of them.

Those three little words, "You are special" are not for just the children. As a caregiver, you are truly special, too. At Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, we can be only television friends. You are helping the children in your care in a much more personal way because you are right there with them, listening, comforting, responding, and caring about what is important to each one. And even on hard days...maybe especially on the hard days..., the relationship between you and a child can grow. And, of course, it's that relationship, more than anything else, that's ultimately most helpful to a child.

Back to Theme