It is in kindergarten that we absorb the most valuable information. Aside from our introduction to “reading, writing, and arithmetic”, we learn communication and social skills. It gives us the foundation for learning to cope with others in the world around us. We make our first friends. We develop a sense of ownership and pride. We rise to challenges and tasks. We think everything is fun (even chores). But it is not until we become adults that we truly appreciate the foundation that kindergarten lays. Don’t believe me? Have a conversation with a kindergartener. You will see what I mean. I am sure we can all agree today’s kindergarteners are more advanced than we were. Thanks technology! But the thing that remains is their candidness and fresh perspectives on everything around them. We should take notes from five-year-olds.

My recent out of town trip gave me the opportunity to spend a little quality time with my five-year-old niece. I gained some insights worth sharing. There were two specific conversations we had about cartoons and iPods. They turned out to be the most insightful exchanges I’ve had thus far this year… The first conversation arose from a car commercial. You know, the one with the Muppets? I asked if the Muppet with the closing line was “Animal”. She confirmed that I was correct. I was all on my high horse, feeling like I was still in “the know”. That led to us talking about our favorite Muppets and Sesame Street characters. Her favorite is Elmo – naturally. My favorite is Cookie Monster. Her second favorite is Big Bird and third is Oscar The Grouch, to which I replied, “Really?! Oscar?”. She referred to him as “the one in the trash can”. After a second I thought about it and said to her, “you know, I think Oscar is just misunderstood”. She said, “yeah, some people are really good on the inside”. I was floored… I said “yeah, that’s why we have to treat them properly, right?” She said “yeah”. I smiled.

Shortly thereafter we discussed her iPod. Since we were going out later she decided that she needed a plan to keep herself properly entertained. She turned it off to preserve the battery life (she explained to me in her own words). I laughed, thinking about her “priorities” and knowing that she probably wouldn’t use it anyway since there would be kids to play with. I said, “sounds like that has happened to you before”. She said, “yes, and I learned my lesson”. I said “well, that’s great… a good lesson to learn”. Then came the kicker – her response – “yes, I learn my lessons. But some of my friends don’t”. I took me a second to figure out what to say. I couldn’t believe the conversation and thought process coming from this tiny person. I said, “well some people just take longer than others to learn”. She said, “yeah, not me”. I went on to finish working on my tasks thinking about our conversation. She went to watch Doc McStuffin or McDuffin???… something about doctors. All I know is the snowman thought he was real and was devastated to realize he wasn’t… I will stick to Muppet Babies!

In all of this, two short conversations with a kindergartener, I took away the following:

1. People have good hearts and good intentions but are easily misunderstood by their “packaging”.
2. Our mistakes teach us lessons. We need to learn from them and not repeat.
3. We should spend time on the simple truths around us as and appreciate the world in the way that children do.
4. Kindergarteners are cool kids; intelligent, precocious, little balls of energy. They know so little about life and still are simultaneously smarter than us in so many ways.

We complicate our lives so much with our tasks, agendas, mundane routines, and general oversights that we don’t see the bigger picture. I think it is children that give us the chance to see things in the way we once did. They not only bring us treasure and wonder but they heighten our sensibility and core values. Everything with them is black and white. Everything is choice and consequence. Good and bad. Right and wrong. They have an answer and plan for everything that they experience.

I love talking to the youngest members of my family, sometimes more than the adults. You are guaranteed to find me hanging with them at some point during family functions. I feel a sense of gratitude from my conversions with them. And the laughter goes on for days. This time around, not only had I been schooled by my little niece but she reminded me of something. I need to get back to simplicity. I need to have a greater appreciation for my earliest lessons and skills. I also need to spend more time with the five-and-under crowd. They hold onto that innate desire to do a good job and be a help to those in need. They get the most out of life. They exude jubilation. It’s contagious. Something I surely miss in my daily life.