I have always wanted to be teacher to share what I know.
What I didn’t realize is that the students would end up teaching me!
I’m starting to believe that it really is true that everything I needed to learn I learned in kindergarten. Here are 13 key life lessons I've been taught working with children that can enlighten all of us regardless of age.
1. Be fearless, be silly.
Stick out your tongue, play duck duck goose. Life doesn’t have to be so serious, and a child’s mind reminds us that we are meant to be fearless. Being silly will change your day, one silly face at a time.
2. Dream for the stars, there is no limit.
When asking children what they want to be, they reply with answers that have no limitations. Their future has big plans to change the world, become something special, and that they are capable of anything. Don’t lose that key of pushing the limits and realize you can still become anything.
3. Play, be messy.
Clothes are replaceable and messes can be cleaned! The kindergarteners cover their hands with glue and see no problem with that! Messes are not a concern, but enjoying the process is the focus. Worry less about the mess, and enjoy the disarray!
4. Making friends can be easy.
Kindergarteners see past color, status, and gender. Imagine a world where we all saw one another as friends that we can lean on, share, and explore with?
5. Giggle more, stress less.
Kids laugh, giggle, and smile more than any people I know. Laughter is the best medicine that can turn any ordinary day into a delight.
6. Simplify your thoughts by being honest.
Working with kids, specifically with art, I see a lot of interesting creations that hold so much truth. Their honest depictions are often simple and true drawings. Simplify your mind and realize by being honest with yourself, you can understand what to do next.
7. Ask questions. Lots of them.
I often hesitate to ask questions because I fear judgement in situations. What I saw in the kindergarteners is their ability to simply ask questions. Keeping your mind curious allows you to learn and reach new understandings by sharing ideas. Knowledge is power!
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8. Look at the world as a playground
There is so many possibilities to play. Life is asking you to play, challenge yourself, and enjoy it. Make time to have your own recess as an adult- I promise it will keep you sane to play.
9. Say how you feel.
The kids I work with don’t hold back. If they are happy, you know it, if they are sad, they show it. We are given emotions to connect to one another, and first we must start saying how we feel.
10. No one is judging you.
Wear what you want, sing at the top of your lungs, run down the street, read a book. Because guess what? Just like in kindergarten, no one is judging you!
11. Try new things, often.
Go down that slide, try jump roping. Sit by someone new at work or school. Variety is the spice of life, and the kindergarteners remind us of that by their ever changing routines.
12. Trade for what you need.
If you need cheese, trade your chocolate milk. There is so many people with a wide variety of resources, and by trading we all can have what we need to make big things happen.
13. Be thrilled about the small things.
Every single thing you make or contribute to is a success to be celebrated! The sheer joy my students get from making art fuels my heart to keep sharing my journey and creating. The little things are what make us happy and create the bigger picture. Smile about every single triumph.
