Mister Rogers Research Paper

Mister Rogers Serves his Neighborhood Little did the world know that on the day of March 20th, 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania a television legend would be born. This man would later, single handedly change the way children learn in America. Even after the death of the beloved Fred Rogers, his legacy continues to help shape educational television. Not only has he changed the American education system entirely, Mister Rogers affected the lives of the young and old through his innovative teaching methods and creative ideas about the way children learn. To start with Fred Rogers early life, he spent most of his spare time with his grandfather. Rogers mother forbid him to play outside because she was frightened of him becoming ill. However, his
grandfather would take him to do fun things outside of the house. As his grandfather used to tell him “There’s only one person in the world like you, and I happen to like you just the way you are.” This quote later became a famous line from the hit TV show, “Mister Rogers Neighborhood”. One of his many explanations for studying in children’s programming was to make kids feel the way his grandfather made him feel, special. He wanted all children to feel like their opinions matter and that an adult was actually listening to them for once. The show was in constant focus on building and nurturing kid’s self-esteem (“Fred McFeely”). Mister Rogers himself once said, “The whole idea is to look at the television camera and present as much love as you possibly could to a person who might feel that he or she needs it.” (Misko). He has helped young kids to realize that they are important, that their voice matters. If they use their mind and take a step at a time they can do anything they want (Santmomero).
Another reason Rogers decided to start a career in children’s programming was that he wanted to make a difference.
He did not feel as though the children shows were living up to their full potential. He described them as “loud” and “hyper” he wanted to slow things down and have a show that was calm and organized (“Fred McFeely”). Mister Rogers talked in a slow passive voice, he believed that children would respond better to a gentler approach (Bowling Beatniks 908). All of the guests, field trips, and songs all had a purpose, they were to help children to cope with often scary challenges (Misko). Even the main theme song had a deeper meaning. The song, “Wont You Be My Neighbor” was formed to make the viewer’s feel at home and comforted in his presence (Bowling Beatniks 908). Another example, one of the puppets in the show, Daniel Striped Tiger asked “What does assassination mean?” That was a shock to parents watching the show considering President Kennedy had previously been assassinated days before that specific show aired (Mister Rogers” 27). He talked about a variety of subjects, moral and immoral. Death, war, poverty, disabilities, divorce, even the 9/11 attacks were all mentioned at one point (“Fred
Rogers”).
In addition, Mister Rogers wrote collections of books.
Some made just for kids but others were for their parents. He wanted kids to feel safe, as Hedda Sharapan said, “He gave a sense that adults care about children and will do all they can to help them feel safe” (Lietz 129). He wanted to help the parents know how to care for their kids. He wrote a book dedicated to parents to teach them how to cope with their own feelings so that they can best help their children (Lietz 132). He also, had people send in letters explaining their problems and what they needed his help for. Rogers preceded to write another book with all of the letters he received and wrote his responses to them. Same as his TV show, Mister Rogers wrote books to help kids deal with challenging tasks. For example, he published books named “When a pet dies” and “Divorce” (Lietz 130). Children needed someone who they trusted and that’s who Rogers was, a dependable
neighbor. Not to mention Rogers was a comforting man. He had a slow peaceful voice to calm people down. That was why he was the perfect candidate to use for multiple Public Service Announcements. Many of these messages were for innocent events or important milestones. However, considering Rogers soothing tone (Lietz 129) some of his announcements were for major disastrous events, like 9/11 or the assassination of President Kennedy. In an interview Rogers was asked his reasoning for partaking in these PSA’s he explained, “There had been too many things. The country was in deep grief. President Kennedy had been killed, then Martin Luther King was killed, and then Robert Kennedy. I thought, ‘I’ve got to talk to the families” (Lietz 129).
No doubt Mister Rogers death was devastating but his legacy continues to live on through the show “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”. The show was created as a memorial to him, it has the same concept as “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” (Santmomero). It was a show that kids can enjoy and relate too. They are learning things like, getting along with others, rules, and growing and changing (Misko). The Tribune-Review wrote an article all about the death of Rogers. He was remembered as “Somebody who cared for his neighbor and his neighbor’s children” (“Fred McFeely”). Another article from the Tribune-Review was about a person whose entire life was altered due to Mister Rogers. They explained “I was a highly sensitive child. It was Mister Rogers who taught me how to begin to deal with my feelings. I think he taught my parents a lot too. I know I’m still learning from him”. The same person who said this is now making their own changes for children’s education.
In conclusion, Mister Rogers was one of the biggest contributors to the kid’s American education system. He created a safe and friendly environment for children to learn. Parents and others are endlessly great full for his determination to help their children. Parents are appreciative of the help he has offered specifically to them too. The Fred Rogers Company has been doing its best to honor his death by carrying out his legacy.