Fred Rogers Productions to Launch Caregiving Content Initiative

Fred Rogers Productions is launching the multiplatform content initiative Many Ways to Show You Care, a child-focused companion piece to the prime-time PBS documentary Caregiving.

The initiative will showcase caregiving for kids ages 2 to 6, their families and caregivers through documentary shorts, a Fred Rogers-inspired music video, educator lesson plans and family activities. The shorts, hosted by PBS KIDS characters, will follow Pittsburgh-based children as they help out with their families’ caregiving activities.

“Many Ways to Show You Care is directly inspired by [the Fred Rogers song] ‘There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You’ as an opportunity for children to both see themselves and to learn more about the ways caregiving can be a part of a loving family,” said Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer for Fred Rogers Productions and executive producer. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Caregiving team to provide content for kids that is accessible to them and tied to Fred Rogers’ legacy.”

The multiplatform content initiative will launch on November 7, and content will be available on the PBS KIDS website, the PBS KIDS Video app and the PBS KIDS for Parents YouTube channel.

The Caregiving documentary premiered in June and was produced by Lea Pictures and WETA Washington, D.C., in association with Ark Media and in conjunction with the Well Beings Caregiving project.

“Caregiving sheds light on some of the many ways that caring for a loved one can impact daily life for general audiences, and we are thrilled to have an age-appropriate way for children to have this opportunity to both learn and see themselves represented,” said Weston Middleton, head of film at Lea Pictures. “Fred Rogers Productions’ thoughtful approach will continue to shine a light on the triumphs and challenges of everyday caregivers for families at every age and stage.”

“Raising the awareness of young children about caregiving will better equip them as they become teens and adults to face the challenges and experience the joys of caregiving for loved ones,” noted Tom Chiodo, executive producer of special projects and Caregiving for WETA. “We are grateful to Fred Rogers Productions for their partnership on this project.”

Many Ways to Show You Care is made possible with support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Next50, McFeely-Rogers Foundation and Susan Crown Exchange.