What I've learned about the kindergarten playground
One of my favorite volunteer activities at my kids' school is watching over the kindergarten kids while they play during recess time. God knows why I like it; it's an exhausting job, and it makes you extra-appreciative of kindergarten teachers and all they have to put up with. I think my recess volunteer stints give my kids some reassurance and a sense of pride, knowing that I'm there for them. I like seeing how my kids are doing and how they're getting along with everything. I like getting to know my kids' friends and want them to get to know me. And I love seeing all the kids running about, screaming and laughing. There's nothing as close to pure, unbridled joy as a five year old playing during recess.
Between volunteering for my daughter's kinder class 3 years ago and my current volunteer stint with my two boys now, I've noticed that certain games seem to be more popular than others. When The Pea was in kindergarten, the "in" girls' game was jump rope. This year, there's not a jump rope to be seen on the playground. The game of choice seems to be hula-hooping. Among the boys, it's freeze tag, which no one played three years ago. Back then all the boys played soccer (and for some reason, they also used to love to sweep up all the leaves in the yard. It's a shame that couldn't be one of the perennial favorites). There are, of course, perennial favorites; the playstructure, particularly the monkey bars, is always crowded, and there will always be kids in the sandbox and the tricycle area and the playhouse. And even though many of the games and equipment change, all the other dynamics of the kindergarten playground have stayed the same.
1) Nobody ever remembers that there are scissors tied to the door of the toy storage shed so they can cut open their yogurt tubes themselves.
2) Everyone wants to know whose mother you are. If your kid is in their classroom, they will beam proudly, as if to say, I know your child! Score one for our classroom! If they know your name, they will point at you, say your name, and beam even more proudly.
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