Won't You Sing Along With Me?
Episode: 500
Air Date: August 17, 2020
Previous Episode: 419b - O Gets Mad
Next Episode: 501a - Prince Wednesday's Accident
Purchase/Stream: Amazon
Daniel Tiger is at home playing carnival with Tigey. He quickly becomes excited about attending the Neighborhood Carnival which is sure to be happening soon. Mom Tiger and Dad Tiger remind him that there won't be a carnival this year while everyone stays far apart in order to keep from accidentally spreading germs. Daniel understands that even if he and his neighbors cannot be together, they can still help and care for each other. Dad Tiger encourages Daniel to be a helper simply by staying home when Doctor Anna says to and to be sure that he is regularly washing his hands.
Daniel talks with his parents about how he feels sad because he is not able to see his friends. Mom and Dad remind him of the many things he can do to make himself feel better when he is sad and lonely.
Dad Tiger is at fixing clocks at home and Daniel is excited that he and his dad can "work" together. Daniel is disappointed when Dad Tiger asks him to find a different place to color so that he can concentrate on his clock repair. Dad suggests that Daniel can be an big help by finding something to do on his own. Daniel goes to feed the fish and make-believes that he is swimming with his pets.
Continuing to play on his own, Daniel draws pictures for his friends before Mom Tiger comforts Daniel by answering his questions about when things will be back to normal. Mom Tiger shares her uncertainties and comforts Daniel by telling that they will be together as they wait to see.
Together as a family, the Tigers create a family carnival and take a picture to share with Grandpere. Daniel talks about his frustrations and confusion but expresses that being with his family makes him feel better
Strategies
- "Ask questions about what's happening. It might help."
- "Grown-ups are here to take care of you."
- "It's okay to feel sad sometimes. Little by little, you'll feel better again."
- "When grown-ups are too busy to play with you, look around to find something to do."
- "Things may change and that's okay. Today we can do things a different way."
Songs
- Fish Friends
- Germs, Germs, Go Away
- I Like To Be With My Family
- It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
- It's Such a Good Feeling
- Medley: Sometimes People Feel Sad / When I Miss You / It's Okay To Feel Sad Sometimes
- Medley: Take a Grown-Up's Hand / We Take Care of Each Other
- Medley: You Can Be a Big Helper / Find Something To Do
- Things May Change and That's Okay
Appearing In This Episode
Post-Episode Short
The post-episode shorts feature Miss Elaina showing a snail she found in the flowers. She draws the snail in her nature book. Meanwhile, Katerina Kittycat looks at a book before she goes to bed.
Notes
This episode originally aired during the heart of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Young viewers were encouraged through discussion of topics like quarantine as well as visuals which reflect video chat screens -- a regular form of communication during the pandemic.
During songs from this episode, viewers are encouraged to sing along by following the lyrics which appear at the bottom of the screen.
The strategies used in this episode come from previous episodes of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood:
- Episode 136: "It's okay to feel sad sometimes. Little by little, you'll feel better again."
- Episode 210: "Grown-ups are here to take care of you."
- Episode 318: "Things may change and that's okay. Today we can do things a different way."
- Episode 320: "Ask questions about what's happening. It might help."
- Episode 401: "When grown-ups are too busy to play with you, look around to find something to do."
This episode features an abbreviated version of the theme song with neighbors appearing in boxes of a screen similar to that seen on a video chat.
Images
Episode Credits
Written by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz, Jill Cozza Turner
Created by Angela C. Santomero
Based on the work of Fred Rogers
© 2020 The Fred Rogers Company