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06-26-2015 09:23 PM
We have friends with a child who will start kindergarten in September and this brought back memories of my kindergarten experience.
I need to tell you that my experience occurred in 1952, which will be waaaay earlier than most of you, so consider the time in which it occurred.
What I remember about first day: when we had our first recess, most of the kids were gathered around the teacher - clinging onto her - and about half of them were crying. Several kids and I were running around trying to think of games we could play. I found another girl and we tried to play hopscotch without tors. All that crying did not compute. I could not wait to get away from my mother and start school! All the crying kids wanted to home to their mommies.
The entire experience back then was b-o-r-i-n-g. The kindergarten room was large and long. It had a real playhouse in it. Girls could play with girls in it, but were not allowed to play with boys in it and vice versa. We painted on easels. One day I started to paint a battle ship (we were just years away from WWII) and I was told by my teacher that I couldn't paint a battleship, because only boys did that. What? I recall being very angry with her.
We didn't do any activity relative to learning. Everything was play and activity. I was so bored I started getting in trouble for talking too much. My mother started to teach me at home: phonics, arithmetic, etc. When 1st grade arrived, 4 of us were considered too advanced for 1st grade, so were placed over on the side in a row and were taught how to weave pot holders. Can you imagine?
How was your experience?
06-26-2015 09:26 PM
06-26-2015 09:30 PM
We had 1/2 day kindergarten back in the 80s. I remember our room was really long with desks on the left and a giant rug and piano on the other side. My teacher was older - I think she retired a couple years later.
I remember sitting in a circle on the rug and shaking the jar to make buttermilk.
I remember watching Charlotte's Web and crying my eyes out -- and wondering why no one else was.
I remember getting the choice of a peanut butter Ritz cracker or a box of raisins for a snack everyday. I always chose the cracker.
I remember the monsters that our teacher used to teach us colors -- I remember Pink was in the sink (that's the only one I can think of).
I remember doing worksheets where we had to match the number to the picture.
That's about it.
06-26-2015 09:30 PM
Well, first, the teacher made applesause and I got hives. Then they noticed I limped a bit and I was diagnosed with LCPD and ended up in a wheelchair for the next 7 years.
Kindergarten for me, was very short lived.
06-26-2015 09:34 PM
I went to kindergarten in 1964. I never understood all the crying, I loved going to school, maybe because I spent a few years being jealous of my older sister getting to go.
I remember loving art, recess and snack time. I also remember my "nap rug" being a soft, fluffy bath towel, that my mother had sewn my name on, using rick rack.
06-26-2015 09:35 PM
06-26-2015 09:37 PM
Our town didn't have kindergarten. But 1st grade was great. I kissed my first boy on the school bus.
06-26-2015 09:41 PM
Back in the cave days we didn't have kindergarten. 😉 My son went in the early 70s and loved it. His teachers were great.
06-26-2015 09:44 PM - edited 06-26-2015 09:46 PM
@NYwoman wrote:Well, first, the teacher made applesause and I got hives. Then they noticed I limped a bit and I was diagnosed with LCPD and ended up in a wheelchair for the next 7 years.
Kindergarten for me, was very short lived.
☆☆☆☆☆
NY WOMAN, I am sorry you had to go through that. How are you now? So much for such a little girl.
06-26-2015 09:56 PM
back when i went to kindergarten i remember liking it. we did not do any academic work that i can remember but we did learn our colors -- but just the major ones not shades. i of course already knew my colors and how to print.
i remember coloring a bluebird really good and i got to go down the slide which was in the room
except for chairs and table, i don't remember any other furniture in the room and no toys -- well we had a ball for games and such.
kindergarten was not required in those days and was only half a day. one group got morning the first term and afternoon the second and the other class did the opposite. we had two teachers and one took half the class into a smaller room for crafty things i guess. in our room we each had long sheets of brown paper which we placed ont he floor and took a nap or at least were quiet. we sort of envied the children in the small room who only had to put their heads down on the table.
that was quite a while ago, however , in fact in 1937 i think.
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