Did you know that the way Mister Rogers spoke to children was so effective that some people actually studied it so they could repeat his pattern?
Photo Credit: Grand Communications/The Fred Rogers Company
It’s true. In 1977, writers for the show started breaking down how Fred Rogers talked to kids. Their names were Arthur Greenwald and Barry Head and they dubbed Roger’s unique style “Freddish.”
They even created an illustrated pamphlet with a nine-item checklist you can easily follow at home.
Here’s the 9-item rundown, reprinted from the pamphlet in its entirety.
- State the idea you wish to express as clearly as possible, and in terms preschoolers can understand. Example: “It is dangerous to play in the street.”
- Rephrase in a positive manner. As in, “It is good to play where it is safe.”
- Rephrase the idea, bearing in mind that preschoolers cannot yet make subtle distinctions and need to be redirected to authorities they trust. As in, “Ask your parents where it is safe to play.”
- Rephrase your idea to eliminate all elements that could be considered prescriptive, directive, or instructive. In the example, that’d mean getting rid of “ask”: “Your parents will tell you where it is safe to play.”
- Rephrase any element that suggests certainty. That’d be “will”: “Your parents can tell you where it is safe to play.”
- Rephrase your idea to eliminate any element that may not apply to all children. Not all children know their parents, so: “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play.”
- Add a simple motivational idea that gives preschoolers a reason to follow your advice. Perhaps: “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is good to listen to them.”
- Rephrase your new statement, repeating the first step. “Good” represents a value judgment, so: “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is important to try to listen to them.”
- Rephrase your idea a final time, relating it to some phase of development a preschooler can understand. With this ninth step, “It is dangerous to play in the street” finally turns into “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is important to try to listen to them, and listening is an important part of growing.”
Pretty impressive, right?
I’m definitely using this the next time I really want to get through to a kid. Especially if their safety is at risk!
