Time and Learning

As the years go by, I wonder why time seems to go more quickly. I think I have come upon the reason.

Think about it: When you were five years old, a year was one-fifth of your entire life. When you are fifty, it is but one-fiftieth—a mere fraction of the whole.

I would like to think that this may be part of the reason we learn some of the most important lessons in life during our fifth year. It is in kindergarten that socialization truly takes root.

In too many of today’s kindergarten classes, academic skills are emphasized—even though some, especially boys, may not be developmentally ready. Perhaps we should reflect that an emphasis on academics at too young an age deprives young people of a chance to learn what is really important in the fifth year of their lives.

Robert Fulghum’s book, “All I Really Need to Know, I learned in Kindergarten,” offers a wonderful review. In his own words, these are some the things he learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don’t hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

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