Two Educators – and Dads – Share Their Blueprint for Education and Parenting – Influenced by Mister Rogers
In 1989, Fred Rogers, of the “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” show, visited the San Diego Zoo, where he got to see giraffes up close. That visit became one of the most beloved episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”of all time, sparking children’s wonder about animals and the natural world.
According to two authors who are scheduled to share their impressions of Mr. Rogers’ influence, “Fred knew how important it was for children to wonder. In fact, curiosity was one of the ‘tools for learning’ he taught on television.”
These tools have been shown to be up to ten times more predictive of children’s success than test scores. They can help kids do better academically, emotionally, and even physically.
Those two ambassadors, Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski, who are from Fred Rogers’ real-life neighborhood of Pittsburgh — and the authors of a book about how parents and teachers can follow in Fred’s footsteps — are scheduled to be in San Diego in April to spread Fred’s message and celebrate teachers ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week.
The authors of the book, “When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids,” children’s advocate Gregg Behr knows that when it comes to children, nothing is more powerful than kindness. Behr and Rydzewski will be in San Diego in mid-April to discuss their book.
They will discuss the analysis of Fred Rogers’ approach to education, parenting, and children’s mental and emotional health which reveals the science behind why Rogers’ techniques work so well, and how today’s parents and educators can apply those lessons in their own homes and classrooms. Behr will share information about Mister Rogers:
- Mister Rogers was more than a nice guy in a sweater. He was also a brilliant scientist who parents and teachers can continue to learn from today.
- The “tools for learning” he taught in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood have been shown to be up to ten times more predictive of children’s success than test scores. They can help kids do better academically, emotionally, and even physically.
- A new book — “When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids” — shows parents, teachers, and everyone else how to nurture these “tools for learning” in digital-age kids.
“Kindness is a key component of academic success” says Behr, who is executive director of The Grable Foundation and a co-chair of the Remake Learning Council. “Students who feel bullied, isolated, ignored, or unheard often have difficulty forming friendships, developing confidence, being able to focus on schoolwork, and satisfying their academic and creative potential.”
Gregg Behr is a father and children’s advocate whose work to ignite children’s curiosity, encourage creativity, and foster belonging in schools, libraries, museums, and beyond has been celebrated around the world.
Ryan Rydzewski is a father, a former teacher, and an award-winning science and education journalist whose stories span everything from schools to space travel to “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
Category: Authors, Books, Education, Events, Life Style, Local News
