(no subject)
I was chatting with someone yesterday about a situation that occurred in kindergarten that caused me to stop talking to people. Like, for the rest of my life. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized there were other incidents that year that contributed to my "just shut up and close yourself off" personality. Being a kid isn't entirely carefree.
scene 1: Angela wants to share a story with the class. She raises her hand, excited, sharing her tale when called upon. When finished, Teacher smiles and said, "That's nice, but what does it have to do with our discussion?"
lesson 1: Analyze each social situation to ensure you're contributing appropriately.
scene 2: The paraprofessional asks each child what they want to be when they grow up. Angela says, "a ballerina!" Paraprofessional replies, "Okay... is there something else?" to which Angela pouts and replies, "I guess a teacher." Paraprofessional is pleased.
lesson 2: Your dreams are unrealistic, and you need to lie about them to make others happy.
scene 3: At playtime, a group of friends is in the toy kitchen area. When Teacher calls the class to their desks, Angela's classmates all rush out and leave her to clean up by herself.
lesson 3: It's the girl's responsibility to clean up other's messes.
scene 4: An addition to lesson 3: Teacher impatiently calls Angela to her desk while she's cleaning up after others.
lesson 4: Even when you try to do good, it won't be enough.
scene 5: There is play-dough embedded into the carpet beneath Angela's table, and Teacher is angry. Angela's table partner says it wasn't her; Angela says she wasn't even playing with play-dough. Teacher gets angry and makes Angela clean it up.
lesson 5: Don't bother defending yourself, because people will believe what they want despite the evidence.
Twenty-five years later, I still live by these lessons.
scene 1: Angela wants to share a story with the class. She raises her hand, excited, sharing her tale when called upon. When finished, Teacher smiles and said, "That's nice, but what does it have to do with our discussion?"
lesson 1: Analyze each social situation to ensure you're contributing appropriately.
scene 2: The paraprofessional asks each child what they want to be when they grow up. Angela says, "a ballerina!" Paraprofessional replies, "Okay... is there something else?" to which Angela pouts and replies, "I guess a teacher." Paraprofessional is pleased.
lesson 2: Your dreams are unrealistic, and you need to lie about them to make others happy.
scene 3: At playtime, a group of friends is in the toy kitchen area. When Teacher calls the class to their desks, Angela's classmates all rush out and leave her to clean up by herself.
lesson 3: It's the girl's responsibility to clean up other's messes.
scene 4: An addition to lesson 3: Teacher impatiently calls Angela to her desk while she's cleaning up after others.
lesson 4: Even when you try to do good, it won't be enough.
scene 5: There is play-dough embedded into the carpet beneath Angela's table, and Teacher is angry. Angela's table partner says it wasn't her; Angela says she wasn't even playing with play-dough. Teacher gets angry and makes Angela clean it up.
lesson 5: Don't bother defending yourself, because people will believe what they want despite the evidence.
Twenty-five years later, I still live by these lessons.