Mister Rogers visits a first-grade classroom, and the teacher shows some of the things children will find in first grade, like desks. Mister Rogers talks about learning – and how important it is for children to want to learn. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Elaine Fairchilde thinks she is helping Prince Tuesday get ready for school, but mostly she is making him afraid.

Mister Rogers helps children understand that learning and play go hand in hand. In the Neighborhood of Make- Believe, the new Neighborhood school is near completion, but Daniel is sad and afraid about the beginning of school because he can’t learn all his numbers and letters.

Pretending is one good way to learn. In the Neighborhood of Make- Believe, Prince Tuesday, Daniel Tiger, and Ana Platypus begin their first day of School, where there is time for learning and for play. Mister Rogers suggests that children could play about going to school and what it might be like there.

Mister Rogers takes a ride on a real school bus and talks with a school bus driver. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, King Friday and Dr. and Mrs. Platypus are anxious to see their children at the end of the school day. The first week of school is a big event for children, but it is also a big event for parents!