Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Celebrates One-Year Birthday with Very Special Episode, "Neighbor Day"

Summer may be coming to a close, but Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the critically-acclaimed animated series for preschoolers from The Fred Rogers Company, will keep hearts warm with “Neighbor Day,” a charming, brand-new half-hour special premiering nationwide this Labor Day on PBS KIDS (check local listings).  

On Monday, September 2, fans young and old will learn, alongside Daniel and his friends, how one simple act of kindness can snowball in wonderful and unexpected ways. In the adorable new special, Daniel’s first good deed starts a chain reaction of kindness all around the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, culminating with King Friday’s proclamation of an official “Neighbor Day”!

And there’s even more to celebrate! This Labor Day also marks the first birthday of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood! Daniel Tiger and his friends, O the Owl, Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday and Miss Elaina, first “met” children and families from coast-to-coast one year ago, inviting them on fun and engaging adventures through a colorfully re-imagined Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Since then, the top-rated series has delighted viewers of all ages with its engaging and relatable stories and characters as well as its catchy musical strategies that reinforce the early learning theme in each episode.

“Neighbor Day” shows preschoolers that doing something nice for their neighbors can be a rewarding experience that makes them feel good about themselves – a message very near and dear to the beloved children’s entertainment pioneer Fred Rogers. Every episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was inspired by Rogers’ unique vision and this debut special is no exception.

To help encourage neighborliness with your little ones at home, here are some tips inspired by “Neighbor Day” and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood that will help show your preschoolers that doing something nice for their neighbors can be a rewarding experience that makes them feel good about themselves! 

·         Volunteer!:  Check out your local food bank, library or neighborhood park for opportunities for your family to contribute, whether it is going through your house with your preschooler and donating extra canned goods or old books  or helping plant brand-new trees!

·         Play outside and meet new people!:  Bring your young children for a fun visit at the neighborhood playground, so they can make new friends and interact with old friends, too!

·         Ask to help!:  When your family sees someone who might need a hand, offer it!  Work together with an elderly neighbor who needs extra assistance in their yard or even have your preschooler help take care of a friend’s pet while they’re away on an end-of-summer trip.  You can also just talk with your child about times when you helped someone in need.

·         Smile and say, hello!:  Sometimes the littlest things makes the biggest difference!  When you are walking through your own neighborhood with your kids, greet passing neighbors with a friendly smile and a “hello” – you might just brighten someone’s day!

·         Make Coupons for Giving: Help your child create homemade paper coupons for kind and helpful acts, like “a hug,” “help with household chores” or “reading a book to a younger sibling.”

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