Won't You Be My Neighbor? Day 2013

By Hedda Sharapan

Next Wednesday, March 20th, we’re celebrating Fred Rogers’ birthday.  It’s hard to believe, but this would have been his 85th birthday. 

To honor Fred’s life, a few years ago we started a tradition of encouraging people to wear a sweater on March 20th -- and to do something neighborly.  Wearing a sweater is our “outside” tribute to Fred, but he was so much more focused on our “insides” that we wanted to add doing something kind and caring – something “neighborly.”

We call it “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Day, in honor of Fred’s signature way of welcoming us to his Neighborhood. He made us feel “at home” -- no matter what we could or could not do, no matter what we look like, or how we feel. 

You do that too, every day when you greet children warmly and make them feel welcome in your care.  Next week on March 20th, I hope you’ll take a moment to realize what a valuable gift you’re giving the children just by the way you greet them.

PBS made a very touching video tribute to Fred, and I wanted to share it with you, not just because of what it means about his work, but because of what it means about yours.  As you watch the video, I hope you’ll think about all the ways you help children feel “at home.”   

Just as Fred made us feel “safe, valued and cared for” in his Neighborhood, you do that every day for the children in your care.  Here are some of the things you do in your greeting that makes children feel welcome right from the start: 

With your words
When you think about it, your greeting is the first thing children hear from you.  For some children, it may be the first caring words in their day. No matter what words you use, they all need to hear the message of “I’m glad you’re here today.” And you know who needs to hear that most of all?  The children with challenging behaviors.

With your non-verbal cues  
Keep in mind that you’re not only communicating with the words you say. You’re sending messages in so many other ways – like through the tone of your voice, your posture, your gestures, your facial expression. Young children, particularly because they don’t yet have language skills, are much more attuned to those non-verbal cues.

With the way you greet families
Children also are tuned in to the way you greet their families. When children see that you and their families have a warm relationship, they feel more safe in your care. I’m a grandmother and sometimes take my grandchildren to child care or pick them up, and I know that I have an even warmer feeling about the center because of the greeting that the teachers give to me. 

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If you’ll be wearing a sweater on March 20, we’d love to have a photo to add to our Facebook page.  And we hope you’ll let us know about the neighborly things you do.  Thank you for being our neighbor – and for welcoming us as a partner with you in the important work you’re doing.   
Hedda Sharapan
M.S. Child Development
Director of Early Childhood Initiatives 
Sharapan@fredrogers.org  

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