Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood does more than ask the question, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Mister Rogers and his neighbors constantly and consistently show children what it means to be kind, caring, appreciative – and to be helpful to others when things don’t go smoothly.

We’ve scheduled our week on HELPING at Thanksgiving time, but you can use the activities and books that go along with those episodes any time. “Helping has two sides,” Fred Rogers reminded us, “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.”

When children know their help is valuable, they feel valued, and naturally they’re likely to do helpful things for us and for others in the future. That’s an important part of being “neighborly.”

Explore articles, activities, and book suggestions all organized by theme or by broadcast schedule on our PBS website.