Yesterday we went in for our annual round of parent-teacher conferences. This year, for the first time ever, we got to have both conferences in the same building, because our children attend the same school. We have a 3rd grader and a kindergartener, and you will be pleased to know that they are both doing very well. But man, that kindergarten schedule, for some reason it just hit me today that if I could build my ideal schedule, that would be it! Seriously, it almost seems like I’ve been working my whole life just to get back to that structure. Think about what they do!
Play Games – Yes, I have moved on from Red Rover and Tag to things like Sentinels of the Multiverse, Scrabble, and Mario Kart, but one of my favorite things to do is play games! Kindergarteners get to play games all the time! It is built into their day! I do have an every-other-week gaming group that I really enjoy, but what if we got to play games with our friends every day, just as a recognized basic need?! Sounds pretty good to me.
Sing – I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but I am a classically trained vocalist and opera singer. That’s where the “Tenor” part of Tenor Dad comes from. That’s right, I have taken an everyday kindergarten activity and made a career out of it. Making music is my life, and it used to be yours too. Do you remember?
Read Books – I love reading books, and yet somehow I don’t read as much as I once did, or as much as I would like. It would be great if someone could just stop me in the middle of my day and let me know that it was reading time. Hand me a book, leave me alone for an hour, and all will be well with my soul. I know I am an adult, but I need storytime!
Create Art – I have tried my hand at a little bit of painting and drawing. I drew my logo that I think you can see somewhere on this site. I love doing it. But again, I never really have time for that sort of thing. I have another painting that I have been working on for, oh, I don’t know, at least a year. I’m sure I will finish it eventually, but it would be better for art time to come after story time in my daily schedule.
Snack – Okay, actually I still incorporate this practice into my regimen. You can probably tell.
Math – Some of you will balk at this, but I have always loved math. These days I do logic problems, Sudoku, Kakuro, and other number type games, but it isn’t the same as learning new things and solving new problems. I would enjoy some math. And if you hate math, think of this as the necessary part of your day when you get stuff done like checkbook balancing or bill paying. Not fun, but if you don’t include it somewhere you are going to be in trouble.
Recess – Yeah, sometimes you just gotta get outside. Thank goodness I have to walk the dog and pick the kids up from school. It gets me outside a little every day. Sure, I plan hikes and trips to the park, but not every day. And kindergarten reminds us that it is important every day.
Free Choice – When was the last time you had free choice? Kindergarten maybe? I don’t know about you, but there is something very appealing to me about the idea of free choice.
So as I walked away from that conference, I realized that everything I have ever wanted to do has already been done, by me, in kindergarten! It is the perfect day! So maybe I will try to structure my life a little more like my son’s. I have work to do too, but I can make that fun, especially when I know that recess is coming up!