What's S'Happening with the Stockwells: First Grade!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

First Grade!

As we lay in bed snuggling last night, on the eve of the first day of school (for Ethan), with all the excitement and anticipation and clean slate-dom of the start of a new school year, I shared with the boys my hopes and wishes for them this year. I told them it would be a big year for both of them - first grade and the last year of preschool. That they would have many opportunities to grow and learn and have fun, and that I was truly jealous of their position. That they were both so smart and able, and I knew they could do anything they wanted. It was one of those moments that we parents of two boys so rarely get to experience, where they were BOTH sitting still, paying attention, and really listening with their hearts and minds. So my big pieces of advice to my first grader and my pre-kindergartner were:

1.) BE KIND. And not just to your friends. Seek out opportunities to be kind to those who most need it. Look for the person who could use a little extra kindness, and go give it to them.

2.) BE POLITE. Say please and thank you, and hello and goodbye. Ask people what kind of day they are having (which, by the way, my quick study did as soon as he got off the bus today). Clean up after yourself. Don't interrupt.

3.) STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. If you see something that you know in your heart and gut is not right, do something about it. Tell the offender that they are doing wrong. Tell a teacher. Tell us. And at some point, god forbid, it may be an adult doing something you know is wrong. Please tell us, and know that we will always be there to help you out.

4.) LEARN! Listen to those wise teachers of yours and do what they say. There is so much to be learned this year, and your little brains are so ready to take it all in. Be willing to experiment and grow.

5.) HAVE FUN! (It is 1st grade and preschool, after all.)

I kissed my kindergartner good night and was greeted by an excited and just a tad nervous first grader (and his equally excited little brother) this morning.