“Mom, am I too dumb for Kindergarten?” Oh my gosh, how young are we when we learn to compare ourselves to others?
“Why do you ask that?”
“My friend can read and I can’t.” She and her friend both start Kindergarten in a few weeks.
“Beautiful girl, your friend has two teachers as parents. They sat her down and taught her over the course of a long time. Just like your brothers taught you Minecraft and you’re crazy good at that right? When you get taught, you will learn quick. Everybody is different and learns different things at different times. What’s important is that you are kind to everyone and do your best.”
Every year that passes the pressure is younger to learn more. I added an example of the US Census from 1920 (MN example). Children were taught to read and write between 8- 11 on average. Now, we need to read books to our pregnant stomachs or there is no chance for our kids. Okay so that’s a bit dramatic.
Hats off to all Kindergarten teachers out there. The gap coming in has to be amazing. I have to ask myself– if my kid is asking me this (and she is the child of parents that combined have two bachelors of science, one Masters, and one Juris Doctorate) how do those kids walking in that English is a second language or kids that have a born disability of some kind feel? If my blessed kiddo is feeling a little behind already how much do need we need to remind our kids that they were born enough.
I’m not worried about reading or writing, that will come but I need to teach confidence for oneself and love and kindness to others. As parents, if we do that, all else will fall in line. For the record, for all you parents that taught your kids to read before kindergarten, more power to you. Rock on and hats off to you! Your children can be supporters and motivators to the rest of the class.
My Journey 