It seems like everyone talks about “being childish” so negatively, but honestly, children have it right. Obviously, I don’t mean being indignant and throwing temper tantrums is a good thing to do, but their outlook on life seems pretty accurate. As children, I think we have it all figured out, and then the older we get, the more we change and forget the lessons we learned as kids. It might not happen on purpose, but there are definitely simple lessons that adults just don’t even care about. It’s as if we need our first-grade teachers looking over our shoulders and saying, “treat others the way you want to be treated,” for us to remember to do it. So for now, I’m going to be that first-grade teacher, and revisit a few of the lessons that kids understand better than most adults.

1. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s so simple to do, and we all know that it’s the right way to behave, but for some reason as adults a lot of the time we forget to put this lesson into practice. There isn’t much bad that can come from simply being kind to others.
   
2. Sharing is caring. Yes, this doesn’t apply to everything. Mascara for example. However, if it doesn’t hurt you, and makes someone else happy, then why not? Sometimes you need less than you have anyway.
   
3. Remember to say “please” and “thank you.” This one is pretty self- explanatory. It’s just a matter of being nice and respectful that barely even takes any effort.
   
4. You get what you get, and you don’t get upset. Here is one of my favorite ones. You can’t get everything you want, you can’t do everything you want, but you just have to get over it and move on. Very few things in life are completely under your control.
   
5. Practice makes perfect. Don’t give up so easily. So often we get upset when we don’t instantly understand or do a perfect job, I think because adults are supposed to know it all, but where would we be if we quit the first time we couldn’t add 4 and 5 to get 9?
   
6. No one is perfect. I know it’s hard, but we have to cut people slack sometimes. Everyone is unique and if you really and truly can’t get along with someone, at least be courteous. Don’t make someone feel bad because they aren’t just like you; they shouldn’t be anyway.
   
7. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. There isn’t much of a benefit to being mean and upsetting someone for no reason, is there?
   
8. Honesty is the best policy. To be used in conjunction with “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.” Not that you shouldn’t tell your friend that the shirt they want to say looks awful on them, but at least try not to be mean about it.
   
9. Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don't mind. What other people think about you has no impact on your life. Never let anyone make you feel bad for being yourself because life is already complicated enough without trying to figure out the type of person other people want you to be.
   
10. You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose. There isn't anything you can’t do if you set your mind to it and really try. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it (bonus life lesson).

Alright, so the last two are Dr. Suess quotes, but what kid doesn’t read and love Dr. Suess? By the way, he had it right too. Life can get crazy, circumstances aren’t always ideal, but everyone has their own stuff going on. I know it can be hard to remember these things, but they really are some of the most important life lessons we can learn, first grade isn't just about learning the alphabet.