THE WORLD KEEPS CHANGING,
BUT CHILDREN ARE THE SAME!
THEY WANT TO BE LOVED,
THEY WANT TO PLAY AND HAVE FUN,
AND THEY WANT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES!
How many times have you heard me say that? Today is National Kindergarten Day and a perfect time to reflect on our own childhoods and kindergarten experiences. Do you remember wearing a mask and sitting in front of a computer? It just breaks my heart when I see pictures and hear your stories about what it's been like to teach during the pandemic. I wrote the poem below several years ago out of frustration for the "rigor" and "academic push" that had eroded our precious "kinder gardens." We need to make it our theme song in the future because we are going to have to give children OVERDOSES of PLAY and HANDS-ON and SONGS and FINGER PLAYS and HUGS.
My kindergarten class in 1953. Can you tell which one is me?
They’ve Taken Away Our Song
By Jean Feldman
We used to sing and play outside.
We’d hold hands and we’d dance.
Now we have to sit still and take tests.
They’ve taken away our song.
We used to build with blocks.
We’d finger paint and do puzzles.
Now we do worksheets.
They’ve taken away our song.
We used to dig in the sand,
Play circle games and play pretend.
Now we sit in front of a big screen.
They’ve taken away our song.
We used to cook and go on field trips.
We had show and tell and rest time.
Now we have to stay on task.
They’ve taken away our song.
Our teacher used to have time
To sing us rhymes and tell us stories.
Now our teacher has to collect data.
They’ve taken away our song.
Give children back their song,
Laugh, and love, and play,
So when they’re all grown up
They’ll remember kindergarten in a special way.
Kindergarten Bill of Rights by Jean Feldman
• Kindergarten children have the right to the pursuit of happiness.
• Kindergarten children have the right to wooden blocks and a housekeeping center.
• Kindergarten children have the right to play dough and puzzles.
• Kindergarten children have the right to hold hands with their friends and play games.
• Kindergarten children have the right to free play outside.
• Kindergarten children have the right to sing and dance and be silly.
• Kindergarten children have the right to explore with paint, crayons, markers, glue, scissors and to make a mess!!!
• Kindergarten children have the right to have books read to them … many, many books.
• Kindergarten children have the right to go on field trips.
• Kindergarten children have a right to a quiet time every day so their brains can process information.
• Kindergarten children have the right to think school is the most wonderful place in their world.
• Kindergarten children have the right to think that they are capable and worthy.
• Kindergarten children have the right to hopes and dreams.
*Kindergarten children have the right to smiles and hugs and love, love, love!
My kinderoos back in the 1980's.
Every day was like giving a birthday party!
We had songs, games, snacks, stories, recess, and FUN!
We didn't know what check lists and standards were!