My son is heading back to school and I’m a mix of emotions. On the one hand we really need a return to routine but, on the other hand I hate the idea of us needing to be out to door by a certain time every day. I’m nervous how he will do in a new classroom with a new teacher, I hope all of his friends will be in his class and that if they are not, that he will find new ones. And even though it’s just pre-k, I know that this year is going to bring lots of new learning experiences and I hope he enjoys them all. While I’m excited for all the educational lessons he will learn this year, there are a few other lessons I hope he learns.
Ask lots of questions.
Yes, I know you do this every day at home and sometimes I’m overwhelmed by all of them, but if there is any place where asking lots of questions is appropriate it’s at school. So ask away. Challenge the teacher. If something confuses you or interests you ask questions about it.
Be interested in everything
There will be subjects you don’t love, books that you don’t enjoy, and activities that aren’t your favorite. But give them all a chance. Be interested in every new thing presented to you in school. Sometimes you might discover that something you didn’t think was “your thing” is suddenly your thing. And even if it isn’t your thing, learn a little about it.
Listen
Ask questions but also listen. Listen to answers, to your teachers, and your classmates. I know sometimes your brain moves ten steps ahead and the words fight their way out of your mouth, but try, please, to stop and listen to what people are saying. You can learn so much just by listening to others. So make sure to listen just as much as you talk.
Speak Up
If something is wrong say something. If someone is bothering you or bullying you or treating someone else poorly speak up. Find a teacher and tell them that something is wrong. Never let anyone make you feel like you can’t say something.
Wait your turn
I know it’s hard at 4 to know when it’s time for someone else to play with the dinosaurs but let someone else have a turn before you snatch it out of their hands. It won’t always be your turn and learning to wait and to be patient is an important life lesson. Being gracious while you wait is a great quality that people will appreciate.
Be Kind
There will be kids that are new this year and kids like you that are nervous those first few days. Treat everyone you meet kindly. Make new friends and if someone is playing by themselves, invite them to join in. No one likes to be left out and you can never have too many friends.
Be a Leader but…
I know you love leading your friends in a game of Batman or being in charge of the days adventure but remember that sometimes it’s OK to let others be in charge. And that it’s nice to let someone else run the show from time to time. It doesn’t make your ideas any less valuable or fun, it’s just giving someone else a chance to be in charge. So if someone suggests playing Avengers instead of Batman, let them and do it without sulking or complaining that it’s unfair.
Be You
I love you, for you and so do your friends and teachers. You are smart, kind and funny. Remember those things. You sometimes march to your own beat and that is OK. It’s a waste of time to try to be someone you are not. Be yourself always. And if it doesn’t feel true to you, don’t do it.
While reading, writing and math are important, it’s more important to me that you learn these skills. It is these skills that will make you the kind of person that other people want to work with and be friends with. These skills are just as important, as all of the other lessons you will learn, and trust me you will use these skills more often than you use algebra or geography.
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