All you need to know

It’s been 35 years since Robert Fulghum, an American author and minister, first published a collection of essays in his best-selling book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” Despite having never read the book, some Creston students agree that the world would be a better place if everyone adhered to the same basic rules and standards they learned in kindergarten – the golden rule, sharing, cleaning up after themselves, balancing work and play, and building fellowship despite their differences.

To gain friends, Calvin Hudson, 6, said sharing is important.

“You make a lot of friends,” he said. “It makes people feel good.”

Daphne Hoepker, 10, said kindergarten is fun, but warned not to get on a teacher’s bad side.

“I’m not saying they will be different, but just don’t be on their bad side,” Hoepker said. “Be as good as you can be.”

Follow the rules

Mallory Williams, 9, said rules are important.

“If you’re running in the halls you might trip and fall.” said 8-year-old Harlow Randall.

“Follow the rules right,” Hudson added. “They make you feel safe and you have more fun.”

One rule in kindergarten is to keep one’s hands and feet to themselves.

“Don’t hit people,” said Williams. “You’re not suppose to put your hands on other people.”

Even if one has the urge to touch someone in a positive way, such a hug or a high-five, some students warned it’s not always welcomed and offered alternatives.

“They can offer a fist bump or an air hug instead,” said Williams.

Hadley Purdum, 10, said following the rules is an easy way of staying out of trouble, and getting in to trouble has its downside.

“People won’t be friends with you if you are in trouble,” she said.

Harper Wilson, 8, said rules are good and should be followed.

“Sometimes we may not like them but they always keep us safe,” she said.

Participate

Hoepker said participation, such as taking part in class activities and discussion is one way to learn more.

“If you don’t raise your hand and participate then you won’t learn as much,” she said. “If you don’t ask questions, you’ll never know and it will be on the top of your mind forever.”

Wellness

As some students remained concerned about pandemic-related issues, they offer advice to help keep themselves and others safe.

“Wash your hands. Wear your mask. Sneeze in your arm,” said Hudson.

“Give people their personal space,” said Blake Phipps, 10.

Apologize

Kindergarteners are not without conflict, therefore, the former kindergarteners offer their advice for resolution.

Williams recalled a situation when a friend failed to apologize.

“It’s important to say ‘I’m sorry,’” Williams said. “To show you are truly sorry, don’t do it again.”

Respect

Leona Fry-Schnormeier, 9, said not only to respect others, but to respect the property of others.

“Leave the rocks on the playground,” she said. “Teachers don’t like it. It’s not yours and they are there for safety.”

When it comes to respect, Koy Rinehart, 9, said kindergartners should pay attention to their teachers.

“It makes teachers feel good and you get to learn,” he said.

Williams added that teachers like when students show respect by cleaning up after themselves and taking care of shared material. She said it’s easiest to clean as you go.

“That way you don’t have to clean up later and teachers like it,” she said.

Teamwork

Hoepker said teamwork is important. She said good teams are built on communication, honesty and listening. But sometimes, working as a team has conflict.

“Always be nice,” Hoepker said. “If someone is mad at you just give them some space to not get them overwhelmed.”

Fry-Schnormeier said it’s important to ask for help and there are many people who can do so.

“Your teacher, your friends or the person next to you,” she said.

Wilson said it’s important to help one another.

“If you are sitting right next to each other know you can help,” she said. “And if you don’t know what something is, they can help you. Just don’t be shy and actually talk to them.”

When it comes to teamwork, Wilson said a diverse team is as important as its leader. On her teams, she welcomes people with different skills.

“If you need help, they are right there,” she said. “It’s just good to have that.”

To avoid conflict, Wilson said to compromise.

“Sometimes do what they want to do, because if you are to pick what you want to do a lot, just let them choose what they want to do sometimes,” she said.

Be inclusive

Purdum said it’s nice to make new friends. The qualities she looks for in a friend is someone who is nice, follows the rules and isn’t a bully.

“When people bully it’s because they feel small and they are trying to be powerful,” said Fletcher Brown, 10.

Brown said getting to know someone who is mean at first helps form a friendship.

Wilson said simply striking up conversation with other kids is an easy way to make friends.

“You can say hi to them, be friendly to them, say hello if they are nervous. Maybe play with them,” said Wilson.

“Talk to them a lot, talk to them about the room if the other person has already been in it, ask them what they do,” said Randall. “The more you talk to each other it means you’re getting closer to being friends.”

Fry-Schnormeier said to surrounded yourself with people that are different.

“We get better,” she said. “It makes you a better, kinder person.”

“Just respect their differences,” said Wilson. “If someone is good at pictures and you’re jealous of them, maybe say that their pictures are very good.”

Life balance

Fry-Schormeier said it’s pretty important to try different activities.

“Know that you can at least try to do it,” she said. “If you’re not good then you don’t have to do it, but keep on trying.”

Conquering

The greatest challenge in Kindergarten is facing new tasks with confidence.

Naps and getting rest are important,” said Williams. “So you’re not grouchy. Or do something in your room to calm you down. I love to spend time with my cats and sometimes my dogs. Sometimes not really my dogs because they bark all the time. Or color.

Naps and getting rest are important to Mallory.

“So you’re not grouchy,” she said.

Phipps said taking deep breaths or counting in your head,” said Phipps (if having a bad day.)

Awareness

Randall said to be aware of those who don’t have any playmates.

“If you see someone at recess that is alone, you can ask them, ‘Hey, do you want to play with us or join us?’” she said.

“Tell them nothing is going to happen and if you’ll be there every step of the way.,” said WIlson.