Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Going to School (with Toy Bus) [DVD]

One of the only shows I let my kids watch without worrying about it! Mr. Rogers is trustworthy. My kids learn about airplanes, pets, cars, school...all sorts of things. The pace is so slow, but they really do well with it, and ask to watch it over and over.

Please note that the other reviewers of this item entered reviews for a different epoisode of Mr. Rogers, and not episode #1481, which called is called "Competition". There is nothing about going to school on this DVD, and it does not come with a toy.My three-year old son and I are both enormous fans of Mr. Rogers and own the first week of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood on DVD, as well as the Friendship/Love DVD and Circus Time DVD. All those DVDs are wonderful in that the single episodes hold together and don't leave a lot of unanswered questions (to be answered in a follow on episode).I was hesitant to buy this DVD not only because it was a single 1/2 hour episode for ten dollars, but more because I was concerned it would not hold together conceptually because Mr. Rogers shows ran for half an hour a day for a full week to bring an idea or event to full fruition at the conclusion of a five-episode week. My fears were justified. About six (very interesting minutes) of this DVD is an overview of a crayon factory. The rest of the DVD is equal parts Mr. Rogers drawing with crayons at an easel, and time spent in the Neighborhood of Make Believe preparing for King Friday's art competition. Lady Elaine is certain she will win The Competition because she wants to. She goes so far as to say angrily "I HATE to lose, I hate it!" and "people like you when you win!" Miss Cow is uncertain how an art contest can even be judged, since art is subjective. Clearly the episode was setting the stage for teaching children about competition, losing, winning, and what art really is. And then just like that, the 30 minutes is over and none of those issues are explained or resolved. My three-year old walked away from that episode hearing that "people like you better when you win", and also having learned the word "hate". No follow-through, no positive life lesson, no teaching moments. Though I love Mr. Rogers, I will never buy a single episode again and certainly don't recommend anyone else do either. Incidently, the quality of the DVD is a little off in the images are a little jerky and jumpy (it's subtle, but it's there).Perhaps I am naïve, but I really cannot imagine that Fred Rogers would approve of his shows being sold as single DVDs at such a high price. The episodes just don't hold together on their own because they were designed to move slowly and to unfold AS A GROUP over a full week to culminate in lessons that are lasting and meaningful, which takes time. Further, selling single episodes is a terrible waste of resources (plastic packaging, cardboard for shipping, etc), which I don't believe Mr. Rogers would have been supporive of. The only reason these these episodes are sold singly is greed, and the result is damaging to the quality of Mr. Rogers' messages and legacy, and to the environment as well.

My children (ages 4 and 1) love Mister Roger's Neighborhood. We own all the DVDs available because our local PBS station no longer airs the program. My daughter loves both episodes on this DVD.The first episode: Mister Roger's goes to school: Mister Rogers introduces children to a school bus driver, who takes them on a tour of the school bus. Then Mister Rogers goes for a ride to pick up school children. In the nieghborhood of make-believe, it's the first day of school at someplace else for Anna, Prince, and Daniel. They sing thier names, and talk aobut guitars. Parents of the children gather at the castle and await thier arrival and talk aobut missing them. I found it touching that Mister Rogers would include a little bit of emothional help for the parents, too.In response to the "lousy video" reiview. On the television program, other episodes in this weeks theme included a trip to a kindergarten classroom, and a first grade classroom. I, too, wish these were availble on DVD. Please contact Family Communications and join me in requesting more episodes on DVD.The Second Episode: Learning: Mister Roger's talks about learning all different ways (caught rather than taught), and expiremnets with flashlights and battery operated toys. In the nieghborhood of make-believe the children at school vote to decide which is a better way to learn: field trips or a fancy learning machine.My daughter likes this one and always wants to play with a flashlight after viewing it.Also included is "How people make crayons." Fun and interesting.

Wonderful show. Great entertainment even 1/2 a century later. I grew up on Mr. Rogers and so did all my friends and I'm just so pleased that I can now share these episodes with my own children. All the 'children's' television programming today is complete trash and apart from completely banning my child from all TV related things....I can at least search out episodes like this that he can watch from time to time that he can enjoy without my needing to fear their content. They are educational and Mr. Rogers has such a calm and peaceful nature. Even now as an adult when I find myself upset with my child, I can summon (so to speak) the spirit of Mr. Rogers and respond to my child with a zen-like answer instead of loosing my cool. Each episode not only educates my child on a functional aspect of his surrounding world but also on an emotional/social concept. These cover a range of social/emotional topics such as divorce and friendship. They also display how crayons, stamps, etc are produced. I can't wait to purchase the remainder of the series.

Very old show but great subjects approached very well.

This DVD is so informative and makes school look like a wonderful positive experience. My grandson was entranced by the way information was presented to him about school...something he was nervous about due to the uncertainty of what school was all about. Thank you Mr. Rogers...for being a friend to all our children!