Mister Rogers visited the cast of STOMP during “Mad Feelings” week. During the week of programs, Mister Rogers explored the question, “What do you do with the mad that you feel?” Fred was known to go to the piano when he was dealing with angry feelings. He said that when he was growing up he was not allowed to bang on furniture, but he could play loud, angry notes on the piano.
Always encouraging viewers to find healthy ways to express their feelings, Mister Rogers visited STOMP to see the creative ways they used household items to make noise and relieve tension.
Fred Rogers wrote this article for Pittsburgh Magazine. He wrote these statements to accompany theme weeks of the Neighborhood. This piece went along with the week on "Play." Play can help children deal with difficult times in their lives.
In the week of programs about "Play," Mister Rogers plays with wooden blocks and a toy tractor. He and other musicians try out different instruments throughout the week, and Mister Rogers even walks on stilts.
These materials tell about the special guests and Neighborhood of Make-Believe storyline from the Neighborhood week on "Fun and Games." Fred Rogers' message seems to be that joining a team and learning a game can be difficult, but persistence and a desire to play can lead to much joy in a sport.
The Fred Rogers Institute Archivist is available for requests and inquiries from students and researchers.