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. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, King Friday XIII decides to forbid the neighbors from playing after Bob Dog is injured retrieving a ball.
The neighbors all rebel in their own ways. King Friday does not give in until he realizes that music, particularly his fanfare, is not possible without play.
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.
Brockett's Bakery is hosting a group of musicians who sing in Spanish. Rather than just sitting and listening, Mister Rogers joins in on the fun. He learns about and experiments with an instrument that mimics the sound of rain.
The Fred Rogers Institute Archivist is available for requests and inquiries from students and researchers.
