We've come a long way baby....

I just finished reading Ramona The Pest by Beverly Cleary to my class. The students loved the book and learned to visualize a story while enjoying a good book. The story about Ramona's first days in Kindergarten was a look at Kindergarten of the past. The description of Ramona's Kindergarten was much like the Kindergarten I remember.  Kindergarten was half day. Children walked to neighborhood schools on their own. Ramona divided Kindergarten into two parts - the running part; playing, art, singing, recess etc. and seat work.  Seat work consisted of learning the letters and their sounds. There was nap time and a child was picked to be the wake up fairy.

In contrast, today's kindergarteners enter knowing some if not all of the letters. They leave Kindetrgarten reading, writing, adding subtracting.  Today's children are experts at technology and very wise about the world. They are rarely left unsupervised, even to walk to school. Children of today are bombarded by information from the internet, TV, radio and their teachers.  My students come to school ready to take it all on. What wonderful little people they are!

With all of the differences between kindergarteners of yesterday and today, I am amazed at how much the kindergarteners of today are similar to those in the past. They still have an enthusiasm for learning and hope for the future that only a five year old can have.  Five year olds instantly like those they meet and always think the best of others. Pleasing the adults in their lives is still very important. Their energy and smiles make you feel younger just being near them.

So with all the changes in our world today, our young children have really "stepped up" to the challenges. Yet they seemed to have kept the best part of being five years old in todays world. The love for others, trust in others and hope for the future. I truly believe I have the best job in the world because I get to spend my day with them. They have come a long way baby. We should all learn from them.