Hindsight REWIND

Reminisce and Reflect with me.

September nineteen ninety-something and the excitement of starting a school year trumps anything this month! 

Shopping for school supplies and picking out what to wear.  The new teachers and classmates.  Getting ready for the “first day of school” photo is a must.  Documenting the occasion and making memories.

Learning your ABC’s and 123’s is crucial for survival in this literate and calculating world we live in!  School is cool in our family!

One daughter recently discussed her feelings about starting Kindergarten with Mom and Dad as the time grew nearer.  She is a little nervous and apprehensive yet excited too.  She said that “she hoped that her teacher wouldn’t get mad if she couldn’t do everything right at school.“

I tried to assure her that as long as she was doing her best, Mom and Dad would be happy with her and the teacher should be too.  I emphasized that school is suppose to teach you how to do things and that she shouldn’t be worried!

That same daughter has also been proudly announcing to everyone that she is going to be in Mommy’s class.  Going to school with Mom is something unusual yet special that my kids are experiencing.  A popular saying “All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten” has immense meaning and importance now.  My job description, roles and responsibilities have morphed exponentially!

Adjusting to mom being their teacher has been different for each child.  One embraced the role of high achieving model student and rarely slipped out of character.

Another hung on to presumed special privileges, like wanting to sit on my lap during story-time or stripping down to her undershirt like she would at home to avoid getting hot during our Mousercizing exercise time!

The last one was friendly, funny, always content to play and learn despite the fact unbeknownst to teacher/mom that she really needed glasses to see!

Remembering that my children are individuals and have their own strengths and weaknesses has been so important.  Ensuring that my  students, including my own kids, always feel secure and confident to learn within my classroom is my goal.  As a parent and an educator it has always been my job to teach.  Those early years are very formative and impressionable times for children. 

I feel fortunate that I am able to interact and make connections with my girls in such a remarkable way.  When they grow up, hopefully my influence and teaching will continue to help them navigate through life.  “All you really need to know is not learned in Kindergarten.”  For most of us the learning never stops. 

Hindsight Reflection #1  Kids do worry about things from a young age and some never stop worrying.

Hindsight Reflection #2   How many children in classrooms have had those same thoughts and concerns about measuring up?  Self-doubt is always counterproductive.

Hindsight Reflection #3  All the educational experiences, they had along the way,  helped to shape the adults that they are today. 

Thank you for joining me!

Karen

If you want to read more quotes or essays by Robert Fulghum.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.  Penquin Random House Canada. Copyright 1986.