Whether you know him for his red sweater or his catchy tune inviting you to his neighborhood, fond memories of Mister Rogers stand the test of time. Fred Rogers, who hails from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, became a television sensation as a children’s program host who emphasized the social and emotional needs of his audience. He was able to share his messages through nearly 900 half-hour episodes from 1968 through 2001, and his legacy has been memorialized at Saint Vincent College through the Fred Rogers Institute.
At GYF’s annual CPE day, Emma Swift Lee, Director of the Fred Rogers Institute provided a deeper insight into how the six fundamentals of learning and growing that Fred Rogers developed can be relevant through every aspect of our lives. These fundamentals include Sense of Self-Worth, Sense of Trust, Curiosity, Capacity to Look and Listen Carefully, Times of Solitude, and Play. These ideals are what frame the Institute’s work because they are not simply things that can be “checked off,” rather they are pillars of learning that continually evolve throughout our lives. These concepts apply not only to children, but also resonate with adults and can viewed in the context of how professionals behave an interact with each other in the workplace.
According to Swift Lee, the most important idea that Fred Rogers discussed was Sense of Self Worth. She stated that “none of us can learn or grow unless we have the sense that we are worthy.” As an individual, we must feel internally that we are worth the investment of what may come when we choose to learn and grow. Mister Rogers emphasizes that all people, no matter who they are, have a feeling of wanting to be lovable and the best thing we can do is let all people know that they are loved and capable of loving.
Next, Swift Lee shared the idea of a Sense of Trust. This concept is something that must be built over time but can be easily broken. She discussed the importance of everyone having someone in their lives who they feel they can trust and how that trust can create a sense of solidarity. Trust, according to Mister Rogers, can be built by having conversations, whether it be between an adult and a child or between two adults trying to solve a problem. Talking about emotions and “letting the human things be mentioned” creates a sense of trust and community to let others know that they are not alone.
The third ideal introduced was Curiosity. Swift Lee explained that this ideal is expected in young children who are new to the world and not given all the knowledge necessary at birth. However, she applies this principle to an adult’s perspective, as well. When we are curious, we admit on some level that there is something we don’t know and allow ourselves the vulnerability to learn even more. Mister Rogers reminded us that it is alright to wonder.
The fourth ideal that was introduced was the idea of Look and Listen Carefully. Swift Lee played an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood that showed him taking time to look and listen carefully to his surroundings. She noted that the biggest takeaway people often have from this clip is Mister Rogers’ ability to slow down. This deliberate practice is event more important when in today’s world, when we often feel very rushed.
Next, Swift Lee talked about Solitude. Mister Rogers reminded us that it is a gift to ourselves not only to slow down, but also to take time away from all outside stimulation. During times of solitude, we allow inner turbulence to settle, and we have a chance to become familiar with ourselves. Swift Lee pointed out that when Mister Rogers developed this idea, he related it back to separating from the noise of television and radio. Today, this forward-thinking idea by Mister Rogers resonates even more due to the distracting nature of social media and other technology in our daily lives.
The final ideal discussed was Play. Swift Lee explained that for many of us, when we think of play, we think of childhood and adolescence. However, Mister Rogers argued that the idea of play can impact how adults approach work. Swift Lee provided a quote from Fred Rogers to end her presentation, “As work grows out of play, an attitude towards work grows with it – an attitude that may persist all through our work. That attitude can have a lot to do with how we accept challenges, how we can cope with failures, and whether we can find the inner fulfillment that makes working, in and of itself, worthwhile.”
The overarching theme of Mister Rogers and what he wanted to convey to the world is that relationships are meaningful, showing up for one another is important, and that these fundamentals are necessary for children and adults alike. Mister Rogers encouraged us to ask ourselves “How am I attending to my own sense of self-worth?” “How do I feel my trust is with my colleagues?” and, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”
Click here to access copies of the slides, links to resources and a video of the presentation
About GYF’s CPE Day: The firm presents this program each year to bring together clients, friends of the firm, and other professionals who are interested in gaining knowledge. The day is always filled with interesting presentations and great networking opportunities, and is generally attended by 300+ guests. If you have any questions about the material covered, or other issues we did not have time to address, please reach out to your GYF Executive or contact the office at 412-338-9300. We look forward to seeing everyone next year!
