Four Life Lessons I Learned from Kindergarten

My daughter started Kindergarten this year.  I was so excited for her to start her schooling, learning numbers, letters and words.  Coloring more within the lines would be an added bonus (no, this isn’t a metaphor for anything, I just really like coloring).  Little did I know, I was the one who’d be receiving some schooling.  

The first week of school was a whirlwind!  We received our first tardy on day four (yup, great job with time management, mom).  I rolled up my sleeves with having to make two school lunches for the first time ever.  Yup, only 2,387,456 left to go.  

One night, as I’m pumping my daughter for information about her day, she surprised me with the greatest bit of knowledge I’ve received in years.  

“We learned our classroom rules today.  Do you want to hear them?”

“Absolutely!” (be cool Laura, be cool)

I thought I’d be getting the rundown of the classroom logistics.  You know, things like, call the teacher by her full name, put your pencil down when the bell rings, sit in your seat, only eat when it’s lunch or snack time, don’t sniff the glue.  This was much more magical than all of that.

1. Follow instructions the first time given
2. Keep your arms, feet and all objects to yourself
3. Be friendly and respectful
4. Raise your hand and wait your turn to talk

Four simple rules that will set you up for success at any age in your life.  

There are so many times when I’m at work, that I’d love to shoot out a reminder email about rule #3.  How many times have you thought to yourself: I was only asking a question, I was just trying to help, why is that written in all caps, what a jerk (okay this goes against the actual rule itself, but case in point, it’s a slippery slope).

You might be thinking we are all aware of #2, but are we?  Have you seen those videos of parents coaching their kids sports teams?  Orange cones are kicked, fists are flying. Promise #2 GROWN A** ADULTS!  

At first I was a little hesitant about #4.  For a kindergartener, absolutely. Trying to follow two kids’ dialogue, at the same time, while interjecting with “just please finish your dinner”, is just exhausting.  But the more I think about it, there are aspects of rule #4 that ring true even into adulthood. When was the last time you were cut-off when trying to say something (please wait, while I tell my husband to put his hand down)?  We all like to be heard, but it’s ineffective if we’re all doing the talking at the same time. And listening to people is just, well, it’s just a nice thing to do.

Yes, I’d like my children to read, and count.  These are useful skills and keeping up with curriculum is an early confidence booster.  

But honestly, I really just want my kids to be good people.

I want them to notice the child who is looking for someone to play with.

I want them to understand that if they “just get it done” (#1), they’ll have more time to explore even more of what they love.

I want them to know the power of a good hug

I want them to know love languages

I want them to know that violence doesn’t solve anything and that words are powerful.

And just like that, classroom rules become life lessons.