Resources for Caring Adults

Highlighted Resource
Compassion Fatigue
Digital Wellness
Empathy
Creativity
Talking with Children About Politics
When a Pet Your Child Loves Dies
Supporting Grandfamilies
Meeting Children Where They Are
Fundamentals of Learning and Growing 
Conversation Starter Deck

Fred Rogers was a practical scholar of child development, and his careful consideration of the needs and experiences of children is preserved in the 22,000 items in the Fred Rogers Archive at Saint Vincent College. The resources of the Fred Rogers Institute are grounded in the Fred Rogers Archive  and rigorous research with educators and other children’s helpers. Search our topics - there is something for everyone!

From Foundations of Trust

From Foundations of Trust

As Educators' Neighborhood moves into its fifth year of educators learning together inspired by the life and work of Fred Rogers, I've been reflecting on the core of this work, it's essential through-line, the heart of it.

Plant One Seed - Grow Two Lessons

Plant One Seed - Grow Two Lessons

May 2022: Welcome to springtime - the "growing season!" Many teachers are using this time of year to offer a science lesson about "growing" by planting seeds. It's a great way to help children see first-hand what a seed needs in order to grow into a plant - soil, water, light.

Living Our Questions

Living Our Questions

Fred Rogers loved questions. And he loved inviting YOU to ask questions about anything and everything.

Reflections on Fred Rogers' Healing Power of Presence

Reflections on Fred Rogers' Healing Power of Presence

This article exhibits the power of being present and interconnectedness. Explore how vulnerability fosters connection and how healing is interconnected.

Reflective Thoughts for the New Year

Reflective Thoughts for the New Year

January 2022: Here we are at the beginning of the year when we're "looking ahead," wondering what this new year will bring. It seems kind of ironic, but "looking back" can help us with our journey ahead. There's even a name for that in early childhood — reflective teaching.

Fred Rogers Institute Newsletter: June 2024

Fred Rogers Institute Newsletter: June 2024

This newsletter includes an article on "The Power of Listening" by Hedda Sharapan. Explore how to find a quiet place, listen nonverbally, ask questions, and wait through silence.

Food for Thought - and Nourishment

Food for Thought - and Nourishment

November 2022: With all the emphasis on food at Thanksgiving, I thought you'd appreciate seeing the video below when Fred talked about nourishment. He began with a focus on food, but then he went on to talk about other kinds of nourishment that we all need.

Play as Truth

Play as Truth

"Play is a child's most important means of communication. Children are not self-conscious about playing. They play out what they think is real. That's the ultimate honesty. Children bring their whole inner drama to any relationship." - Fred Rogers

What do you DO with the mad that you feel?

What do you DO with the mad that you feel?

June 2022: It was 1968 when Fred introduced us to his song, "What Do You Do with the Mad that You Feel." That was over fifty years ago, and the messages of that song are as needed today as ever. Fred knew how important it is to help children learn to deal with their angry feelings. But in his song he wasn't ...

Talking to Children about Difficult Things in the News

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.

A Tribute to Fred Rogers -- and You

A Tribute to Fred Rogers -- and You

March 2023: March 20th would be Fred Rogers' 95th birthday, and I wanted to celebrate by sharing with you the tribute video that PBS produced shortly after his death in 2003.

The Not-So-Invisible Essentials of My Practice

The Not-So-Invisible Essentials of My Practice

Reflecting authenticity in the classroom is important as it inspires students to be true to themselves. In this resource, Alex Peck describes the influence that Fred Rogers has had on his self expression while teaching in the classroom. Keywords: educator

'Tis the Season - For Some Quiet

'Tis the Season - For Some Quiet

December 2021: With all the holidays this month, we talk about this season as a time of peace, joy, light, and hope. But it's also a time when it's easy to feel stressed, over-burdened and under-appreciated, so I am offering you a treasured video from one of our early professional development workshops.

When Someone a Child Loves Dies: A booklist

When Someone a Child Loves Dies: A booklist

A librarian-curated booklist for children facing a the death of a loved one.

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is the toll of sharing in the emotions and concerns of the people that you care for. Compassion fatigue is more than burnout or weariness.

"It's very, very, very hard to wait."

"It's very, very, very hard to wait."

Fred Rogers explored how children experienced emotions and this newsletter looks at how he interpreted what it is like for a child to have to wait. Discover ways of letting children know their feelings are natural and helping to find ways to manage strong emotions. Keywords: patience

Reimagining Relationships In Storytime

Reimagining Relationships In Storytime

Positive learning outcomes are related to healthy social-emotional skills, and both are strengthened through quality interactions with adults. Discover various ways to inspire interactions, encourage engagement, and spark conversations.

When Difficult Things Happen

When Difficult Things Happen

A guide from the Fred Rogers Institute for supporting children through hard moments in life.

Remote Learning Lessons from Mister Rogers

Remote Learning Lessons from Mister Rogers

"As schools search for ways to educate children this school year, my heart reminds me to slow down to notice for what's already here. We have a beautiful example of how to inspire joyful, curious learning through a screen. That example is Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."

2022 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

Read our 2022 Annual Report to learn about the ways we invested in the strengths of caring adults and advanced Fred's legacy this year!

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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!

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