This past Thursday, I went back to Kindergarten for the first time in sixteen years. Well, sorta. This semester I have a pre-student teaching experience before I student teach in the spring, and I was placed in a Kindergarten classroom. Going into the day on Thursday, I honestly didn't really know what to expect. I can hardly remember my first days of Kindergarten. At the end of the day, I learned so much that us adults can apply to our lives, and that was only day one. So without further ado, here are five things adults can learn from spending one day in Kindergarten:
1. It's OK to ask someone to help you tie your shoes.
I can't even begin to tell you how many different shoes I tied on my first day of Kindergarten. But it reminded me of something adults often forget: it's okay to ask someone for help when you need it.
2. We all cry for our Mommy sometimes.
Yes, there were a few tears shed on my first day of Kindergarten. Going to school can be a scary experience for young kiddos when they no longer have their mom or dad around during the day. As adults, we miss our mommies and daddies too and if you cry, I won't judge you!
3. Sometimes, you have to lose recess to learn how to be a better person.
When one of my students lost his recess time for inappropriate behavior, man oh man did it sound like the end of the world in that classroom. But, sometimes as adults, we have to lose something great to realize what we did wrong.
4. It's OK to color outside of the lines.
While I was walking around observing my students, one of the boys looked up at me and exclaimed "Look how well I'm coloring inside of the lines!!". While I was very proud of him, sometimes adults should remember that it's okay when you go a little off the path and test the boundaries given to you.
5. A smile and a high-five can go a long way.
This one is pretty obvious, but you can really see the true impact in a Kindergarten classroom. Children love to smile and encourage one another, and they especially love it when it comes from their teacher. So adults, remember to smile and give someone some encouragement today.
So, that's what I learned on my very first day of Kindergarten, and I hope you learned something too!
