Many Ways to Show You Care, a joy-filled multiplatform content initiative from Fred Rogers Productions, will launch on November 7. Content will be available on pbskids.org, the PBS KIDS Video app, and the PBS KIDS for Parents YouTube channel. The initiative includes documentary shorts, a Fred Rogers-inspired music video, educator lesson plans, and family activities. The series highlights caregiving as a natural part of family life in age-appropriate stories for children 2-6. The content from the trusted children’s media producer provides an approachable way for kids to see there are many ways to show they care. It is a child-focused companion piece to Caregiving, the general audience primetime PBS documentary, which premiered in June and was produced by Lea Pictures and WETA Washington, D.C., the flagship public media station in the nation's capital, in association with Ark Media.
In the documentary shorts, families will be introduced to three Pittsburgh-based children: Ramiro, a spunky 6 1/2-year-old who helps his great-grandma with everyday tasks; Anabella, a 10-year-old big sister who lends her parents a hand as they care for both of her younger brothers, one of whom has multiple disabilities; and Josh, a thoughtful 11-year-old who helps his father, who has a traumatic brain injury. These live-action stories were captured by Vinegar Hill, a production company based in the area. Each piece is hosted by beloved PBS KIDS characters, including Daniel Tiger from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie from Donkey Hodie, and Alma Rivera from Alma’s Way. The characters connect the initiative’s caregiving themes to the intentional and well-known content made by Fred Rogers Productions.
Additionally, a music video featuring a reimagined version of the popular Fred Rogers song, “There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You,” will launch in conjunction with the series. The music video includes moments from the shorts as Daniel Tiger, Donkey Hodie, Alma Rivera, and Mister Rogers sing, showing that the legacy of Fred Rogers continues through the project.
New educational materials will accompany the content. The materials will include a curated collection of video clips from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, Alma’s Way, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and accompanying lesson plans, which will be available on PBS LearningMedia. Family and caregiver activities will be available on the PBS KIDS for Parents website. All educational materials are developed by Fred Rogers Productions and child development experts in support of learning themes including compassion, empathy, self-care, and family support.
“Many Ways to Show You Care is directly inspired by 'There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You' as an opportunity for children to both see themselves and to learn more about the ways caregiving can be a part of a loving family,” said Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer for Fred Rogers Productions and executive producer of the project. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Caregiving team to provide content for kids that is accessible to them and tied to Fred Rogers’ legacy.”
“Caregiving sheds light on some of the many ways that caring for a loved one can impact daily life for general audiences, and we are thrilled to have an age-appropriate way for children to have this opportunity to both learn and see themselves represented,” said Weston Middleton, head of film, Lea Pictures. “Fred Rogers Productions’ thoughtful approach will continue to shine a light on the triumphs and challenges of everyday caregivers for families at every age and stage.”
"Raising the awareness of young children about caregiving will better equip them as they become teens and adults to face the challenges and experience the joys of caregiving for loved ones," noted Tom Chiodo, executive producer of special projects and Caregiving for WETA. "We are grateful to Fred Rogers Productions for their partnership on this project."
Many Ways to Show You Care is a production of Fred Rogers Productions, in association with Lea Pictures and WETA Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the Well Beings Caregiving project. It is made possible with support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Next50, McFeely-Rogers Foundation, and Susan Crown Exchange.