As I move through any day, I am bound to
encounter all sorts of behavior, some of it positive and hopeful and some selfish, mean, or hurtful. It always makes me remember that the world would be a much better place if people remember what they learned in Kindergarten and live by them. For me, Kindergarten happened a very long time ago. Still, I remember the basic lessons I learned and how practicing them today allows my work and personal life to be a much more positive experience. I challenge you to put your own 5-year-old vision on your behavior and experiences and see how you are doing your own behavior and decisions. The world seems full of people who have forgotten; I am writing this to remind you.
Be Kind
One of the first lessons I learned was that you should be kind to other people. Even though we are all individuals sitting on a mat on the floor, we are all a part of the same society, and we can either make that society better or worse by
practicing kindness or not. That is a choice, and I learned how good it felt to be kind and to have kindness practiced toward me.
I think that all of those little people I was in class with all felt the same. The world could use a little of this focus as most people have decided to split the world into an “us” vs. “them” situation. Even though what constitutes each side differs from the individual, there are too many examples of how poorly we treat each other because of the perception of a difference. What stops people from seeing the opportunity to practice kindness and understanding rather than anger, fear, and contempt?
Share and Cooperate
Most people seem to be on a mission to collect all the “stuff” they can in life as if the things we possess define who we are. I don’t remember specifically what the toys were in the kindergarten room I attended, but I do know I learned to share them with my classmates and found that playing with others was far more fun
and enjoyable than having a toy all to yourself.
In fact, when the whole group played a game together, it was the most fun of all. You didn’t have to be the most athletic or smartest, you just had to try, and the group accepted that effort. If you didn’t, our teacher’s kind and gentle guidance would guide us back to a positive place. I go to a gym most days and see many people there, most practice cooperation and understand that you need to share equipment and wait your turn for some things. Some obviously have never understood the concept of being considerate of others. I find myself wanting to explain to them in clear terms about the concepts of sharing, taking turns, and empathetic to others. Though if they have come this far in life being self-centered and insensitive, their life experience made them forget kindergarten lessons. I feel sorry for them. Life must have been very difficult for them indeed.
Take Turns and Work Together
When you are five years old, your problems are far less complex than as an adult; however, dealing with a challenge is a skill that will determine the success or failure of many ventures. Everything in the kindergarten classroom was designed to build this concept in each of us. We took turns being first in line to maneuver around the school. We took turns doing daily chores. We shared cleaning
responsibilities and we did them together.
I encounter many people today in all areas of life who seem to have concern only for themselves, their experiences, and that everyone does things their way or wrong. At the highest levels of government, this seems to be the norm in the United States today. Rather than cooperate for the good of all people, politicians are more concerned with being “right” rather than doing what is clearly right. What is right are the things that help people live a healthy, happy, and safe life. Kindergarten teaches this; unfortunately, as life has given us challenges, we have been hurt and turned away from these positive lessons and moved toward the perceived safety of isolation.
What You Can Control
One of my favorite activities during the day in kindergarten that I remember is the weatherboard. We would sit in front of a felt
board with two images on it, and our wonderful teacher would call on us and allow us to put a piece of clothing that would be appropriate for the weather on that day. Growing up in Greenville, Maine, there were many winter jackets, hats, and mittens. It taught you to dress for the weather and that some things in the world are out of your control.
Even though there are things that are out of our control, we have the ability to react to these things any way we choose. We can be angry about it, or sad, or happy, but no matter how we choose to feel, the weather was still cold, or rainy or snowy, or not snowy enough. What we can do is dress appropriately and do the best we can. It is a lesson that I have needed to remember throughout my life. Things happen which I can’t control, and all I can do is react in a way that will be true to who I am. If you can master this skill, then you will enjoy your life a lot more. Too often, we spend too much time complaining about the weather rather than reacting positively to the weather and all things that are happening out of our control.
In the End
Kindergarten is a year in your life usually happening when you are five years old, and if you paid attention, the lessons there could guide you through life. The developmentally appropriate
learning is designed to allow a child to build social and academic skills which will allow them to fit into the school system. My challenge to you is when you move through your day, encounter the people you do, and experience things of all kinds. Regardless of your current age, you remember what you learned all those years ago in kindergarten and practice it with everyone you come in contact with. Be kind when you can, share and work together, enjoy the people in your life and understand letting things you can not control determine your mood is unhealthy. Most of all, if you remember your kindergarten lessons, you will have a much happier life and be a better person.
“The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson.”- Orison Swett Marden
“The kindergarten children are confident in spirit, infinite in resources, and eager to learn. Everything is still possible.” Robert Fulghum
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