All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
by Robert Fulghum
Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.
These are the things I 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.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.
These are the things I 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.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
In today's education system in the United States with the focus being on academic outcomes, Kindergarten has changed from a time when children could learn through active exploration and play to one of drill, test, and push children to produce outcomes that justify the amount of money that schools are receiving and to hold teacher's accountable. While accountability is important in every work situation and in every job, let's not forget that young children need to learn so much more than the academics that are used to hold the teacher's accountable. Let's hold our school systems accountable for providing high quality environments in which children can grow and learn in all areas of development- cognitive, physical and social emotional. Let's not forget that children still need to learn how to get along with others and take care of their basic needs as Robert Fulghum points out so well in this poem. And finally, be aware of wonder and the places that an active imagination can take our children and our nation...because in and through their imaginations you never know what great things could be in store.
