Some Serious Learning at Kindergarten

I mentioned a few days ago that I was sick with a sore throat and laryngitis. Things have got much worse since then—I now can add pink eye, a sinus infection, strep throat, a migraine headache, and probably a few more illnesses to the list (I need to read a bit further in the health guide). I noticed a growth/tumor on my neck this morning as well, but that just turned out to be a clump of Alaina’s baby cereal that had hardened. I can’t remember being splashed with it, though, so I’m pretty sure amnesia will make it onto the list.

Anyway, I bring this up because being sick has caused me to miss attending the Run for Water at Benjamin’s school this morning. This was an event that I have been training for for several weeks now (okay, training might be too strong of a word—but I have honestly been looking forward to it!). The run is part of a fundraiser to help improve the water supply in Africa. Benjamin alone collected $150 from our neighbors, which can provide clean water to at least four people for their entire lives.

But, I bring this up because I was thinking about the amazing transformation that has taken place in the kindergarten class over the past nine months.



In September, Benjamin’s school held a run for cancer awareness/research (yes, I do worry that the school is sending the message that running may be the only way to raise money, but that will have to be a different post). Jason, Janae, Alaina, and I attended the run to encourage Ben (and make sure he was okay), so we got to see the class’s performance.

The kindergarten children had their own track, which I thought was a little unusual—but only until the run began. While the rest of the students ran around a track that circled the playground and soccer field, the kindergarteners had part of the soccer field sectioned off for their “run.” The teacher held hands with two of the students, who both trailed long lines of their absurdly short-looking classmates. This lasted about one minute, then little sections of the line broke off and the kids just ran every which way. They were bumping into each other, falling down, wandering off the field. Very comical.

Jason ran with Ben for a bit, so he actually went around the track a few times (the grassy kindergarten area, I should say), but after the run was over, Ben was complaining that his feet hurt. I looked down and realized he had put his outdoor shoes on the wrong feet—and had been running around and around for half an hour that way. I felt awful for my little Benjamin and really bad that Jason and I hadn’t noticed.

Anyway, as far as runs go, I thought it was pretty much a disaster for the kindergerteners.

So when Benjamin mentioned this Run for Water, I have to admit, I got a bit worried. But when I talked to Ben about it, he said his class runs around the track all the time during gym.

Mom: You DO???
Ben: Yes. Actually, not all the time, but lots of times.
Mom: Wow.

I wanted to be there to see it for myself, but luckily I was able to FORCE Jason to take a couple of hours off of work to go and make sure.

Oh, and Ben can also write his name and several other words, read about 10 different words on his own, draw a person (not just a head with arms and legs sticking out!),

 

sing O Canada (and about a hundred other songs), take turns/share toys, say “I beg your pardon” (as opposed to “What??” which is what I usually say), build starships out of Lego,

 

swim underwater, AND put his shoes on the right feet EVERY TIME.

 

Apparently he and his classmates can also run around a real track, all in the same direction, with the rest of the kids at the school!

Kindergarten is truly a time of serious learning and growth. And in case there is any question in your mind, I am pretty proud of my big Benjamin :)