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I was only eight when Mr. Rogers went to Washington and spoke at this 
Senate hearing concerning children and television. I was mostly too old to watch him (except when nothing else was on TV) and it wasn’t many years before I joined the ranks of folks who loved to make fun of him. He did have a very distinctive speaking style. 
His sincerity, integrity, and authenticity could not be beat though. He was as real in front of the Senate and a grumpy Pastore as he was in front of a Hollywood award crowd, his own show’s TV cameras, or a flesh and blood child. His manner overshadowed everything else that one might initially want to poke fun at–his speech, his slow style, his puppets, his focus on the simple (but ever so important) events of children’s lives.
I was “reintroduced” to Mr. Rogers in grad school and then later when I had children. He informed my attitude about and understanding of children immensely–especially concerning their feelings and lives.
The first video clip of the Senate hearing is a bit long at 6 minutes, but it really is worth a watch. It starts slowly (just like the man speaking) and then the passion begins to come through–and as a bonus, you get to see Pastore melt.
The second one is a couple of the best minutes of true humility you will ever witness.
These clips will renew your faith in what one person can do and inspire you to be your best in your neighborhood. Grab a cuppa and visit for a few minutes with Mr. Rogers.
Take care, Neighbor!
Babette
Like this:
This video is mostly for adults (nothing objectionable for kids but the 
youngest won’t “get it”) and I post it because it’s really well done! (It reminds me of a Pixar short.) And it will give you a smile today.
I, for one, will never look at socks and jeans the same again!
Babette
No one wants to be thinking about being a parent on Christmas morning. Yet 
the job never ever goes away. (Perhaps that’s the fun and attraction of becoming a grandparent. 
)
The parents in this video have done a stupendously good thing. They have given their child a book for a Christmas present. Books being part of every gift giving occasion is a great way to build a love for books and encourage literacy. The positive experience and emotions get paired with the books, thereby “teaching” that books are good and fun and enjoyable.
But what happens when the best laid plan goes awry? When the giftee hasn’t quite made the connection yet? What then?
First, you keep a straight face and you are quiet. The more you react, especially in a positive manner such as laughing and making a fuss about “how cute,” the more you reinforce the behavior you don’t want!
Second, this principle applies to most behaviors. If you want the behavior repeated, pay attention to it. If you don’t want it repeated, ignore it. It’s a simple rule of human learning that works throughout our lives.
Finally, maybe that particular Christmas morning wasn’t the time for whatever reasons, but at some point, a child needs to hear that “it” is a gift, gifts are given because someone thought you would like it, and even if you don’t like it, you smile and say thank you.
Remember, though, stifle the giggles when a kiddo does something you don’t want to see repeated, no matter how funny or cute it is. You’re doing you both a favor–and you can always laugh about it later, out of sight and hearing!
Hope your holidays were blessed,
Babette
You know it’s going to happen. Sometime over the holidays, when you just 
can’t do, play, or eat anymore, someone’s going to sit down with their laptop and start playing videos.
I know it happens at our house. And we do have a good time with it. And believe it or not, it can be good family time between generations and even good literacy building time.
How, when there is no reading going on? Family building and literacy building can both happen if the viewings spur conversation.
So here are a few that are fun, intergenerational, and sure to get everyone talking.
Laurel and Hardy Meet Santana: Oh my, how this made me laugh! What a generational mash-up!
Around the Corner: Motorcycle acrobatists and differential gears? What? Just watch it; honest, it’s worth the minutes.
Why the Other Line Moves Faster: If you’ve found yourself stuck in impossible lines this season, this will throw a whole ‘nother light on it. (I make no promises that it will make the experience better though.)
Star Wars vs. Star Trek: On oldie but a goodie.
Twelve Days of Christmas/Africa: My favorite holiday or anytime group and one of my favorites of their songs. This is the original 1998 version.
Wherever you are and whatever you celebrate, may your holidays be blessed! See you in the new year!
Babette
Anyone remember that old John Prine song? “Blow up your TV, throw away your paper, move to the country…”? Ah no? Guess I’m showing my age.
For over 4o years, we’ve been debating the benefits or detriments of TV to our society–and to our 
children. Early on, it was mostly debate. Television, and especially television geared for children, just hadn’t been around long enough to draw firm conclusions.
That’s changed in the last 10 years. Not only has research become more focused on our youngest children and their brain development, but there has also been enough time now for research to be repeated.
A new report was publicized this past week again confirming that TV viewing delays cognitive and language development in babies and toddlers. You can read US News’ report here (and it includes links to the study).
While the article is short, I was struck with two points from it:
- “…when kids and parents are watching TV, they are missing out on talking, playing, and interactions that are essential to learning and development.”
- Native language and income levels did not affect results.
The Child Study Center of the University of Virginia has posted this video report concerning educational videos. The conclusion? Children did not learn vocabulary from watching educational television *and* they learn vocabulary best from the adults in their lives (even when there’s little more going on than talking, ie, no special equipment needed, folks!).
And finally, in the old news department, if you need any further ammo especially against Baby Mozart, read here.
So turn the TV off and spend time with your kiddo, one on one. (And if you’ve got to cook dinner, pull open a cabinet door and let your little one explore!)
Babette
I’m not a big fan of interviews. They just don’t flip my switches. But I couldn’t resist this one with Beverly Cleary, author of the Ramona books (among many others).
I remember reading and loving Ramona when I was a kid. I remember even more vividly reading Ramona to both my boys. They are so different from one another, it’s amazing they are biologically from the same two parents (they are).
But both boys adored Ramona. 
So what is it about Ramona that elementary aged children, even boys, like so much? Cleary says it well and I’ll say it a bit differently–they identify with her.
Around age seven, kids head into a new stage of development with new interests and new tasks. Many of those involve becoming competent, in kid-like ways.
That might mean learning how to be friends or how to sit still for a little longer. It might mean learning how to keep up with their stuff, make things be it a pinewood derby car
or cookies. It might mean learning how to have a good fight and settle differences or how to play baseball or handle a paintbrush.
Ramona is a normal kid, going through normal kid stuff in this stage of growing competencies. It’s a struggle sometimes. It’s funny sometimes. Kids root for and identify with Ramona because that’s where they are at too.
It’s no magic formula. When stories meet kids where they are developmentally, kid and story go click–and said kid loves the story and the book and the reading. Beverly Cleary remembers and understands what it’s like to be six or eight or ten. And six or eight or ten year olds have loved her for a very long time because of it.
Thank you, Beverly, for Ramona and Henry and Ralph S. Mouse and all the other “kids” you’ve introduced us to!
Babette
I don’t like rap. Never have. Before last week I would have said never will.
My mother always said, “Never say never.” 
Take a look and listen here to what Lin-Manuel Miranda has done with what could be a dry as dust history lesson about the US’s first Secretary of the Treasury. A four and a half minute rap about an economist? All we usually remember about him is his death–he was killed by Aaron Burr in a duel.
You’ll remember much more about him after you give Miranda a listen. You may even find yourself (along with your kids) wanting to know more.
So why am I posting this on a literacy blog? Here’s a few reasons:
- It involves language, lots of it, well chosen and carefully put together. Writing, communication, and creative expression don’t get much finer than this.
- It’s well done. It’s so well done, it looks easy. But what he has created here is difficult to do. Kids need to see and hear the good stuff.
- It demonstrates how the brain loves story. You learned most of this in school. How much did you remember before listening to Miranda? And how much do you remember now, now that you’ve heard about Hamilton through a narrative story, told in rhyme and rhythm? Quiz yourself in a few days. You’ll be surprised. Stories help us remember.
It’s an easy, fun history lesson as well.
Watch it more than once. It actually gets better with each viewing.
Enjoy!
Babette
It’s three minutes. It’s pretty funny. Your kids will love it. Preview to judge whether to show to you “the boys” (of whatever age) in your life.
(Now aren’t you glad it’s not the week after Christmas right now?)
Babette
My kind of prank! Go NYPL! I can’t say too much or I’ll spoil your fun! Click here.
Who would have ever imagined that two of the pillars of children’s books would have both struggled with reading and school? And that the two of them would become such a team over the decades?
I’m not a big fan of interviews, but there’s so much in this one with Eric Carle–including an interesting connection with phonological awareness. See if you can find it!
Enjoy!
Babette
It’s been quite a while since I found a really enjoyable, clever video (at least one that I could post here ). Pixels Take Over NYC qualifies.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy this one–but are you old enough to identify all the game references?
Enjoy!
Babette
March 20th is “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Day. Maybe that’s why the NY 
Times featured a story about Fred Rogers and his legacy (he died seven years ago in February). There is so much wrapped up in this article about Mr. Rogers and his neighborhood.
First, the bad news: PBS is no longer distributing Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood to TV stations. I think this is a terrible loss and goes quite beyond a nostalgic sadness (which I will say more about below).
But the good news is that they’ve made his shows available through the PBS website. And that works find as long as you have internet access. It’s not at all good for those children who don’t, however.
I was a child when Mr. Rogers as well as Sesame Street got their starts on television. But we didn’t watch TV much as children and my first awareness of him was probably in 3rd or 4th grade when it was “the thing” to make fun of the way he talked.
My boys grew up with him, though. Their favorite lullaby tape was a collection of songs from the show. And as young men today, they still remember Mr. Rogers.
Now, I did sometime watch Captain Kangaroo as a child, and I remember him too. But not for the same reasons. Despite what the article implies, Mr. Rogers falls nowhere in the same league as Captain Kangaroo, Shari Lewis, or Howdy Doody. They were all find entertainers; they were all pioneers in the field of children’s television.
But Mr. Rogers was a genius. He had a remarkable education including graduate work in child development. He understood children deeply and could put his head and heart inside their world, a world which is so radically different from an adult’s. He had children in mind first and a TV show second.
In today’s world, when children are being rushed and misunderstood as never before, we need Fred Rogers in their worlds.
I encourage you, if you are not familiar with Fred Rogers’ work, to watch his TV shows with or without your children. Read his books; many are written for parents and teachers. Purchase his books for children. My children negotiated potty training, making friends, moving, and family death’s with Mr. Rogers caring help.
And maybe we’ll see each other in Pennsylvania on day at the Fred Roger Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media. I’m awfully glad others are carrying on his work.
See you around, Neighbor!
Babette
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