Strengths and Limitations, Abilities and Disabilities
Thoughts for the Week:
We all want children to have
respect for people, including those who have disabilities. For a number of
reasons, that can be a special challenge for preschoolers. When we model warm
and caring acceptance of others -- recognizing strengths and trying to
understand limitations, we are helping children know that we appreciate all of
who they are.
-- Fred Rogers
Summary of the Week:
A visit with
Koko the Gorilla who has learned sign language helps Mister Rogers address the
confusion and even fear young children often experience when confronted with
new situations or people who seem different from them, especially those with
visible disabilities. Mister Rogers takes his viewers to see how people install
wheelchair lifts in vans, what happens at an eye exam and shows how people make
eyeglasses. He also shows a video about a toy library especially for children
with differing abilities.
In the
Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Elaine refuses to make friends with a new
gorilla visitor just because he looks scary and unfriendly. The neighbors who
take the time to get to know this make-believe gorilla learn that he is gentle,
kind and helpful. In fact, the gorilla is Neighbor Aber in disguise, doing
research to find out how people would react to him if they didn't know who he
was.
