• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Advertising
  • Write for Us
  • Job Board
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Consulting
    • Advertising
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Shirts

The Educators Room logo

  • Start Here
    • Impact Statements: Teacher Expertise
    • Newsletter
  • Browse Topics
    • Content Strategies
      • Literacy
      • Mathematics
      • Social Studies
      • Educational Technology
      • ELL & ESOL
      • Fine Arts
      • Special Education
      • Popular Topics
        • Teacher Self-Care
        • Instructional Coach Files
        • Common Core
        • The Traveling Teacher
        • The Unemployed Teacher
        • The New Teacher Chronicles
        • Book Review
        • Grade Levels
          • Elementary (K-5)
          • Middle (6-8)
          • Adult
          • New Teacher Bootcamp
          • Hot Button Topics
            • Menu Item
              • Principals' Corner
              • Charter Schools
              • Confessions of a Teacher
              • Interviews
              • The State of Education
              • Stellar Educator of the Week
            • Menu
              • How to Fix Education
              • Featured
              • Ask a Teacher
              • Teacher Branding
              • Current Events
  • Podcasts
  • Courses
    • Practicing Self-Care to Avoid Teacher Burnout- An 8 Week Course
    • Becoming An Educational Consultant
    • Teacher Branding 101:Teachers are The Experts
    • The Learning Academy
    • Books
    • Shirts
  • Education in Atlanta
  • Teacher Self-Care
  • The Coach's Academy
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Advertising
  • Write for Us
  • Job Board
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Consulting
    • Advertising
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Shirts
×

August 28, 2019 Child Development

Won't You Be My Neighbor?: The Neuroscience Behind Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Sylvia Denice

Sylvia Denice started her teaching career as an upper-elementary teacher and is now a middle school special educator in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Special Educator: What She Is and What She Isn't - November 7, 2019
  • Vote for the Voteless: Off-Year Elections Do Matter - November 5, 2019
  • It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way: When I Knew To Look For Something New - October 29, 2019
  • Teachers Modeling Friendship - September 25, 2019
  • The Teacher Triangle: Mindful Balance - September 15, 2019
  • Won't You Be My Neighbor?: The Neuroscience Behind Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood - August 28, 2019
  • Why Your School Doesn't Need to Adopt a “Social-Emotional Curriculum” - August 6, 2019
  • New Tricks for Old Dogs: What Novice Teachers Offer - July 15, 2019
  • Thanks For The Compliment, But I’m Not A Superhero - July 12, 2019
  • The Motivation Myth - June 10, 2019

Mister Rogers and his philosophy of loving our neighbors as they are has gained momentum over the past year, especially since the release of the biographical documentary film Won’t You Be My Neighbor? in 2018. What’s more, the trailer for the film “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood” starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers was released this summer, reviving enthusiasm for Mr. Rogers fans.

Mr. Rogers has faced criticism for being “too kind” or “soft.” In fact, some have gone so far as to attribute the “selfishness” of “Generation X” to Mr. Rogers’ outspoken belief that everyone is unique, special, and valuable just as they are. The documentary film features FOX News clips stating “the narcissistic society [Mr. Rogers] gave birth to because he told everyone they’re important” made him “an evil, evil man” who “ruined a generation of kids.”

This criticism of “softness” when working with youth is not limited to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. And while there has been a mind shift in teacher training from reactive to proactive discipline with an emphasis on positive relationship building between and among teachers and students, these ideals face scrutiny. The worry that “an expression of care every day to each child to help him realize he is unique,” as Mr. Rogers practiced and preached, is “damaging” or “weakening” our children is still felt in schools today. Can students truly learn and grow in accountability and preparation for the “real world” in such a forgiving and caring environment as Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, critics challenge? However, science says “yes.”

Research in neuroscience suggests the lessons taught in The Neighborhood out of “an abiding interest in children,” and unconditional love does, in fact, reap benefits for children in the future. The concepts of acceptance, simplicity, conflict, and emotion are highlighted in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood; and, while they may disturb comfort zones and status quo for some, there is a method behind the kindness madness.

Acceptance

Mr. Rogers taught through word, deed, and song, capturing the hearts of millions of children. While Mr. Rogers sang "I like you as you are" and "I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you," children heard and understood what Mr. Rogers longed for them to receive: "an expression of care every day to each child to help him realize he is unique." While skeptics suggest this message sets children up for difficulty handling challenges or adversity in their futures, The National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development has released studies supporting such overt, unwavering acceptance. "The brain develops differently based on opportunities to engage actively and safely with rich and meaningful environments," the report states. The impact of "warm, sensitive relationships" and "healthy early care environments [featuring] small ratios of children to adults so that interpersonal interactions are maximized" has a significantly positive impact on the infant brain, laying a foundation for intelligible, healthy, productive future decisions. So, while we may feel that the message of "I like you as you are" is weakening our youth, it is, in fact, strengthening. When Mr. Rogers stated, "I don't think anyone can grow unless he is really and truly accepted as exactly who he is," this statement was more than an opinion; it's backed by science. Our brains are wired for connection with others. You can rest assured that boldly loving your children and students and letting them know, then, is not a disservice but a responsibility and investment in their futures.

Simplicity

Morgan Neville directed the 2017 documentary film Won't You Be My Neighbor? which emphasized the impact Mr. Rogers had on television viewers young and old. "If you take all the elements that make good television and do the exact opposite, you have Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Low production values, simple set, an unlikely star--yet it worked because he was saying something really important," Neville shares. In the hustle and bustle of the world, we can forget the power of simplicity: making a connection, taking a break, or enjoying the silence. Meditation has grown in popularity in school settings out of the research-based realization that taking intentional time for quiet in the midst of the busy school day has neuroanatomical benefits.

In the hustle and bustle of the world, we can forget the power of simplicity: making a connection, taking a break, or enjoying the silence. Click To Tweet

Researchers from John Hopkins University found "mindful meditation can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain." Amidst the enthusiasm for differentiation, high levels of engagement, and rigor in our schools, the value of silence or breaks from the stimulation can be overlooked. We experience this simplicity of time and space in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. "I think silence is one of the greatest gifts we have," Mr. Rogers shared. We know an unsettled brain cannot learn. When we examine opportunities for silence and simplicity in our classrooms, we can take a tip from The Neighborhood: "There's a lot of slow space. There's no wasted space."

Conflict

"When you have diverse people with varying opinions, you have conflict. And that's what happens in The Neighborhood: real conflict," Jungle Li, co-founder of Fred Rogers Center shares in Won't You Be My Neighbor? Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood was known for addressing difficult interpersonal and worldly concerns. From the attacks of 9/11 to the integration of swimming pools to assassinations, Mr. Rodgers' did not shy away from conflict. These issues were discussed openly with childlike wonder. Research conducted by the University of Virginia suggests "the way kids handle conflict with peers may have major long-term health effects." This research even implies "schoolyard conflicts may be tied to early aging and other issues--even tumors, arthritis, and cancer--later in life."

Conflict viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a punitive experience is not dismissive but rather proactive. "Getting along with peers will make or break you," Professor of Psychology Joseph Allen of U-Va. states. Amy Joyce reflects in response to these studies in her article published in The Washington Post in 2018, "Schoolyard conflicts may be linked to serious health problems later in life, research shows," noticing "parents should model good conflict management and teach their children they can still remain friends with people they disagree with." Allen adds, "Let them disagree with you, but rein in their hostile behavior." Opportunities for this teaching are present both in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and in our schools.

Emotion

Feelings can be difficult for people to discuss. In avoidance of perceived weakness, some of us have a tendency to brush them to the side or ignore feelings with the intent of displaying resiliency or grit. Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood challenges this belief; and neuroscience does, too. In Mr. Rogers' words, "Feelings and how to respond to them is what I feel is the most important task in the world." Research agrees. In January of 2019 NPR published an article "Got Anger? Try Naming It To Tame It," reflecting on psychological research suggesting the positive impact of discussing, naming, and processing emotions. Research shows what you are feeling, for example, "I'm feeling frustrated," leads to a lower likelihood of someone "shout[ing] or hit[ting] someone who has hurt them. They are also less likely to binge drink when stressed." Identifying these feelings is defined in the article as "emotional granularity," and it is noted, "people diagnosed with a major depressive disorder are more likely to have low emotional granularity compared to healthy adults." This ability to switch from the amygdala, the emotional response system of the brain, to the pre-frontal cortex where logical thinking and reasoning takes place is a skill that requires practice and attention. So while brushing emotion to the side may feel like the rough and tough option, true resiliency is developed when we acknowledge and work through these feelings.

When we disrupt the status quo, we find that "there are a lot of people out there like Fred Rogers. A lot more than we'd like to believe." So, to all the parents, caregivers, educators, and influencers on youth keep up the relentless loving. You are building a world of resilience through kindness.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Related posts:

Respect in the Classroom: Earned, Not Expected Taking the Anxiety Out of Student Placement in Special Education The Importance of Communication For IEP Students and Parents The Importance Of Early Intervention
« "This is NOT a Drill: Back To School is REAL!"
The Great American School Shuffle »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

The Educator's Room was launched in 2012 to amplify the voice of educators. To date, we have over 45+ writers from around the world and boast over twelve million page views. Through articles, events, and social media we will advocate for honest dialogue with teachers about how to improve public education. This mission is especially important when reporting on education in our community; therefore, we commit our readers to integrity, accuracy, and independence in education reporting. To join our mailing list, click here.

What we do

At The Educator's Room, we focus on amplifying and honoring the voice of educators as experts in education. To date, we have over 40 staff writers/teachers from around the world.

Popular Posts

  • My Union Showed Up for Me, and I'll Never Forget It
  • Your Students Deserve a Diverse Classroom Library. Here's How to Set It Up.
  • You Don't Have to Watch the Tyre Nichols Video, But Be Ready to Talk About It
  • "Let's Make This Happen": Following Student Interests to Interest-Based Mentorships

Featured On

Buy Our Books/Courses

How to Leave Your Job in Education

Practicing Self-Care to Avoid Teacher Burnout

Using Your Teacher Expertise to Become an Educational Consultant

Check out our books on teaching and learning!

The Learning Academy

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

 

Copyright © 2021 The Educator's Room.