When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids

I was introduced to this book 7 months ago at an Ed Tech conference and can honestly say it has inspired me more than any other professional development book I have read in my 35 years of working with children. The practices of Fred Rogers are not new to me, many of these are things I do naturally. However, the thorough research he did before ever facing children to ensure EVERY aspect of his show was beneficial to children is awe-inspiring. His 'choice' to be kind is an example our children need today. So very much of what Mr. Rogers was researching and presenting in the 70s, 80s, and 90s is more than ever exactly what our children need today ... both at home and school. As an educator, I am doing everything I can to learn and adapt to my students' ever-changing needs. Children need different experiences and opportunities than they did in the 80s when I started teaching but need love, attention, and acceptance like never before. "The Fred Method" easily shows how to accomplish all of this! This book needs to be read by anyone who has any kind of contact with children!

This book provides a quick read for insights onto why Mr. Rogers’ style of raising kids works and HOW it works. Provides insight into our universal need for kindness and related benefits. Mr. Rogers is a hero, and the authors of this book have also done a heroic deed in encapsulating the Mr. Rogers mindset !!

I found this book after hearing the authors on a webinar. It essentially explores the thinking and expertise that Fred Rogers used to craft his long running television series Mister Rogers. I don't think I ever saw the show, but it must have been outstanding based on the remarkable insights shared in the book. We learn what makes kids (and people) human: needing to belong, opening up in a trusting environment, pursuing what interests us, caring for others, and much more. Most important, we learn how everyone shares human characteristics while being different, and how important it is to be who we uniquely are -- how we are most successful and fulfilled only when we become our own person. Numerous research studies are cited for each characteristic discussed. However, the real power of the book is how it makes everything so simple, obvious, and logical.Good educators think about some of these things, but very few probably have the depth of experience and insight shared here. Further, it is obvious from the insights why education is failing so many today because traditional education does not take account of really any of these important insights. If it did, we would have a much more productive and equitable society. Every educator, and everyone else who is interested in human development and the future of society, should read this. I only hope it inspires more educators to stop being teachers and start being facilitators of learning. It really would be better for everyone.

Throughout my reading of Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski's book, When You Wonder, You're Learning--I kept coming back to this essential question: How might we continue to cultivate cultures of curiosity throughout K-16 education? I'd recommend this book to every parent and educator looking to foster creativity and wonder in young learners. #WhenYouWonder

This book is fantastic. I picked it up after hearing Greg Behr on the Podcast Ed is Not Dead. As a teacher and teacher leader the authors couch readability, research and practicalIty in delightful nostalgia. I’m about to embark on my 14th year in education and this book has given me so many ideas about new routines I want to embed in my practice. Thank you to the authors for compelling me to continue to get better at what I do in service of great kids.

Love this book. It is everything I believe as an educator. Please go to my youtube channel, Titan Todd Cole, to view my book talk for this book. I cant say enough about the message that you will love to read!

If you're interested in teaching and parenting that centers children, this book is full of fresh insights. So many of us who are parents now grew up with Mr Rogers and his neighborhood as staples of our childhood. But what we think we remember of this show is just the tip of the iceberg-the authors make a convincing case that Fred Rogers was way ahead of his time, and that his work from decades past is more relevant than ever to raising and teaching children to thrive in a challenging world.

AMAZING book! EASY to read and the lessons are INVALUABLE for helping our children. (Although, I must admit, the chapter on Listening reminded me that when our friends and loved ones are having a really bad day or bad experience they don’t necessarily want you to solve it)!The six chapters follow the blueprint from Fred Rogers: Curiosity, Creativity, Communication, Working Together, Learning and Growing & Connection. When You Wonder You’re Learning- Lessons for EVERYONE!

The perfect book for anyone who regularly interacts with children. This book has so many ideas for how to help our children become more caring and creative, and clearly explains the science behind why focusing on these things is so beneficial.