Around this time of year, a number of years ago, I received in the mail a drawing from my 3-year-old granddaughter. It was sent from her child care center. At the top was a note she dictated to her teacher, letting me know that the scribbles, lines and circles said “I love you, Grandma Hedda.” What a treasure!
I thought maybe the letter was part of a Thanksgiving Day activity. But it wasn’t. It was about the mail. The children were to make pictures to send in the mail to people they love. And I have to say that, with all the e-mails and text messages these days, there’s still something heartwarming about receiving a handwritten “love note” or a “thank-you note” in the mail.
I told my granddaughter how much it meant to me to get her caring message in the mail. I also made it a point to thank her teacher for giving her (and the other children) the encouragement to express their love – and not just on birthdays, Thanksgiving Day or other holidays. I couldn’t help but think about one of our favorite Neighborhood songs about “Many Ways to Say I love you.”
Talking to Children about Difficult Things in the News
During times of tragedy and difficulty in the news, it can be difficult to know whether and how to talk to children about what is happening in their world. In this resource we offer ideas and support for guiding children through news about difficult current events.
Educators in all sorts of settings may work with adoptive, foster, and kinship families, and the children within them. The lessons within this resource are to support those educators, as they in turn support these children and families.
Your financial support of the Institute helps us expand our initiatives and resources so that educators and children's helpers can continue to learn and grow from Fred Rogers' legacy. Thank you!