Encouraging Generosity and Gratitude
Thoughts for the Week:
For some
children, being a generous giver and a gracious receiver are natural. But
other children may need more time and more help from us -- not because they are
selfish, but because they have trouble letting go. When we show children we
care about their feelings and that we enjoy giving and receiving, we help them
understand how much we receive when we give and how much we give when we
receive.
-- Fred Rogers
Summary of the Week:
In this week of programs Mister Rogers helps
children appreciate the delight in giving, as well as the kindness of being
gracious receivers. Along with the regular cast of "neighbors"
who are involved in giving and receiving this week, there are special guests,
including LeVar Burton of "Reading Rainbow" and children's author/illustrator
Eric Carle, who give so much through their love of books.
Toilet training is connected to "giving," too, and
Mister Rogers talks about potty chairs, toilets and bathroom drains.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, there's a new
Spanish-speaking neighbor whose generosity includes gifts of fortune cookies
with a fortune inside. At first King Friday isn't appreciative of his
fortune cookie gift, but he comes to understand what it means to be a gracious
receiver.
