Learning the Essentials

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“The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.” – Albert Einstein

The other day my friend Eric asked my son, five-year-old Mr. D, how he was liking Kindergarten.

Mr. D said he loved it [thank God] and he was learning a lot.

Eric followed up to ask what he was learning.

Mr. D replied, “I’m learning about recess, the lunchroom, art, and music.”

I know you are laughing alongside me as you read this.

Learning his way around the school, including the specialist classes (art and music), has been a huge part of the first three weeks. I can’t imagine how many neurons are firing just to create a mind map of this new experience.

But as you’re smiling, consider this. Aren’t recess, the lunchroom, art and music still a big part of your days today?

(featured photo is Mr. D’s line heading in to class on the first day of school)

56 thoughts on “Learning the Essentials”

  1. It’s always so fascinating and endearing to see young kids experience the world for the first time – and the routines we now take for granted. How I miss the morning and afternoon recesses!

    Mr D’s school building looks amazing by the way. Glad to hear that he is enjoying kindergarten!

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  2. We tend to think that kids have stress free lives, but they have a lot of stresses, and navigating recess and lunch is one of them. Class time is structured by the teacher, with certain expectations, while lunch and recess are unstructured times for the kids to learn how to interact with many kids who haven’t been curated by parents. There’s a whole lot of learning going on!

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  3. Perfectv closing line, Wynne. In the spirit of art, I will ask my friend Art and see if he can spare a lock of his hair to send to Mr D. Maybe I will keep one for myself, as a reminder of Mr D’s wisdom.

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  5. I think it’s a great answer, Wynne. Our adult minds are so clouded by our own prejudices and priorities… including how five-year-olds think or ought to think. I think Mr D. answered with clarity through his own perspective. We underestimate or patronise children at our peril!🙂

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  12. Love, love, love this. Mr. D has the heart of a map maker, figuring out new spaces and places and the people within. I love his take on “learning about” the world. Not just stuff. Things. Ways we engage, thrive. So good! 🥰

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  15. Mr D’s certainly got his priorities in order! Academics are important, sure. But, I don’t think you can underestimate how important it is for young students to learn how to be a student, how to adhere to a routine, how to function in a classroom, how to get from here to there, how to focus, how to navigate the day with other students, how to take ownership, etc. That’s the whole groundwork for success in the future. And, Hooray for recess, lunch, art, and music!

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  21. Plenty of life lessons to be learned in the lunchroom and at recess. Learning to share and take turns are important as well as getting one’s self back under control when things don’t go well.

    Thank goodness for music and art. For some kids, those may be the things that keep them in school.

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    1. Well said, Pete! I love that you noted getting one’s self back under control when things don’t go well. Whew – that’s a major one!! Love having your two cents on this one!!

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  23. Nice post, Wynne, and you are absolutely right about recess, the lunchroom, art, and music still being a big part of my days. Without those, I’d go crazy. Kudos to Mr. D for picking the right ones.

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