If you do not have a child, you have probably not heard of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. The show is a spin-off of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, which was a long-running family-oriented TV series hosted by Fred Rogers. It is a great educational show for toddlers for a variety of reasons. Both of my children watch/have watched this show. Having it on as background noise over the last 5 years, I started to realize that the lessons taught in the show, are good reminders for us as adults.
(Song lyrics from the show are in italics)
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New Experiences Just like children, adults can experience new things that make them nervous: i.e white coat syndrome.
This is the doctor’s office song
A visit to the doctor will keep you strong
So come with us and sing sing sing along
Healthy eyes so you can see
See see see what’s in front of me
Healthy throat and healthy ears
So you can sing and you can hear
So visit your doctor every year
A friend will listen if you need them to
If you want to ask questions they will be there for you
To help you through sad times
When you just want to cry
When you’re sad there’s something you can try
When you want to know how or why
Ask questions about what happened
It might help
It can be hard when you don’t understand
But friends and neighbors can lend a hand
And answer questions that you have
You may not feel as bad
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Mad Feelings Just like children, adults get mad and have trouble with self-control.
When you feel so mad
That you want to roar
Take a deep breath
And count to four
One, two, three, four
It’s good to know that you can stop
When you’re about to do something wrong
When you find yourself getting so so mad
Try to remember this song
Stop stop stop
It’s okay to feel angry
It’s not not not
Okay to hurt someone
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Friendship Just like children, adults have trouble listening to each other, working together to solve a problem, or expressing their feelings.
Find a way to play together
And find a way to share with each other
Playing is great
Playing together is so much better
Find a way to play together
Friends help each other
Yes they do
Friends help each other
Yes they do
Even if you can do it by yourself
It’s much more fun when friends can help
Friends help each other
Yes they do, it’s true
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Disappointment Just like children, adults feel disappointments often. Sometimes anticipations can exceed the celebration, leaving us sad, angry, or disappointed.
It’s okay to make mistakes
Try to fix them and learn from them, too
Things may change and that’s okay
Today we can do things a different way
Every morning I eat the same food
But this time I’ll try something new
Things may change and that’s okay
Today we can do things a different way
Our family’s growing, we’re as happy as can be
Cause our new baby means more love in our family
But sometimes you might think there’s not time enough for you
There is time for you and our baby too
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Alike and Different Just like children, adults notice people and objects that are not like them or not like what they are used to.
You can change your hair or what you wear
But no matter what you do, you’re still you
What will they be like and who will they be?
Will our new neighbors have a friend for me?
New neighbors are coming to our neighborhood
Let’s tell everyone, this will be good
In some ways we are different
But in so many ways, we are the same
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Persistence Just like children, adults do not always succeed in everything they try.
Do your best
Your best is the best for you
Try it little by little
Cause it might seem so so tough
Yes you can do it right
If you try enough
If something seems hard to do
Try it a little bit at a time
A little bit little bit at a time
It might seem scary
And too hard to do
Try it little by little
And it might surprise you
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Use Your Words Just like children, adults do not always express themselves appropriately with their words.
Use your words, use your words
Use your words and say how you feel
Most problems can be solved
When you use your words
So use your words and say how you feel
Use your words, use your words
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Confidence
You’re so special
Cause you’re the only you
So celebrate the things
That you can do
While these lyrics may seem “childlike” – sometimes it’s just that simple to solve a problem or fix a feeling. The show is about helping children to understand practical life skills and learn to express their emotions in a healthy way – let’s face it, we adults can use those reminders, too.
