Thoughts for the Week:

Helping children become ready for reading means more than just teaching children the names of sounds of the letters in our alphabet. Learning about language and sounds begins long before kindergarten - when we talk and sing with children, when we tell them the word names for things around us, when we read books to them. Helping children want to learn to read comes from seeing that reading helps us in our everyday lives.

Children have their own unique ways of relating to books, reading, stories, and words. When we let them know that we love them for who they are, and when we appreciate it when they take small steps along the way to reading, we're building a sturdy foundation for a child who will go off to kindergarten wanting to learn ... about reading and about anything else in this world.

Summary of the Week:

Mister Rogers helps children know there are many different ways to get ready to read: looking and listening carefully, being able to "read" symbols and signs, and learning sign language. To encourage careful listening and looking, he enjoys the music of Spanish guitarist Manuel Barrueco, visits with the trainer of a baby elephant at the zoo, and marvels at ballet dancer Ying Li. Factory videos this week include how people make backpacks and handmade paper.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe story, Lady Elaine's TV show about reading hits a snag when one of the neighbors (H.J. Elephant) admits that he can't read. His caring friends help him realize he already has a good start towards becoming a reader because he knows sign language.