Child rearing is both important and taxing. Sometimes guardians need a little boost, reminders about what they already know or introductions to incorporable unique thoughts and concepts.

The Manheim Township School District's upcoming parent session is designed to give caretakers intellectual and mental support. The event is being brought to them by the Manheim Township Educational Foundation (MTEF) and Mister Fred Rogers.

"As parents, we want to do what's best for kids," said Jackie Druck, a Manheim Township educator, instructional technology coach, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) content specialist and parent. "With this event, maybe we'll get that validation. Maybe we'll get new ideas from these messages. The goal is to hear the message, take it away and apply it at home."

MTEF's parent session will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Manheim Township Middle School, 155 School Road, Lancaster. The event will feature addresses by authors Greg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski, who co-wrote the book "When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Life Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids."

The 90-minute presentation is free to attend, and no registration is required.

A native of western Pennsylvania, Fred Rogers hosted a popular educational TV show for kids from 1968 to 2000 called "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," which promoted traditional family values, creativity and altruism.

"Come for the Mister Rogers sentimentality and stay for the research that reinforces his messages," said Druck. "He knew what he was doing, and now there is so much research validating his work. Having heard (Rydzewski and Behr) speak before, I think it will be an invigorating night. I think parents, caregivers and guardians can come and leave feeling excited and inspired. (Rydzewski and Behr will) detail Fred's message. Mister Rogers saw each kid for who they are, and he validated them for who they are."

Druck was one of three Manheim Township educators to apply for the MTEF grant that has made Rydzewski and Behr's appearance possible. The $18,100 grant also funded the authors' previous work with members of the Manheim Township School District's leadership, teaching staff and content groups, as well as 250 autographed copies of their book.

"What does it look like to raise our kids in this digital world?" said Druck. "I think (raising creative, curious, caring kids) is a challenge for every parent as we fight against the screens. One of the things I keep hearing is 'slow things down.' Our kids are naturally curious, and I think adult schedules sometimes get in their way. I think the message is: 'Give them the opportunities to be kids.' Every child comes with that curiosity. There's a line in the book that says that creativity doesn't vanish; we just stop indulging it. We have to keep indulging it."

Druck has been part of a handful of groups of Manheim Township educators who have been awarded educational grants by MTEF, an organization whose mission mirrors Fred Rogers'.

"(MTEF is) wonderful to work with," said Druck. "I'm so thankful for MTEF because they allow for opportunities that we might not otherwise have. To have an opportunity to do something like this is special. So many of these opportunities that give our students awesome experiences and teachers awesome experiences are made possible by MTEF. I know there are so many opportunities that wouldn't be possible without them."

For additional information about Manheim Township Educational Foundation, go to http://www.mtef.net.