10 Things to Know About Elementary School Children

So last week I began working as a summer school administrator in order to fulfill my requirements for my administrative license. I have almost fifteen years of experience with middle and high-schoolers, in addition to almost two years of college-level experience; however, I have NO experience with elementary-aged children.

Last week was pretty easy--lots of paper pushing, schedule-making, planning, and preparation for the first day of summer school. That day was today, and from about 7:15 to about 2:30, I learned more about elementary-aged children than I could ever learn from any classes, textbooks, or my own parenting skills.

Here's what I learned:

1. Small children cry...A LOT. I'm a parent, and have been for almost thirteen years. But those thirteen years did not prepare me for the amount of tears I saw today.

2. Small children know more about where they are supposed to go after school than do their parents. They informed me today of their babysitters' phone numbers, day care facility names and numbers, and grandmothers' cell phone numbers when their own mothers could not. Amazing.

3. Small children do not eat their lunch; they play with it. They stick fruit and cheese into their straws, spill their milk, eat only their snack, and throw the healthy stuff away.

4. In addition to playing with said lunches, children cannot open milk cartons, sandwich bags, or any plastic containers. I think I opened more cartons, packages, and containers in one day than I have in the last five years.

5. Small children need their shoes tied, faces wiped, and pants pulled up after leaving the restroom. Repetitively.

6. Small children get lost during the short walk from their classroom to the bathroom across the hall.

7. Small children are incredibly happy (when they aren't crying). They get happy about everything--walking to class, turning in attendance and sundry other duties, eating lunch, and especially about learning.

8. Small children love their teachers. It's like love at first sight. They just met their teachers today and were only with them for four short hours; yet, close relationships are already forming.

9. Small children are very funny. They find everything funny. They laugh loudly and from their bellies. It is amazing.

10. Small children give out a lot of hugs--unashamedly. They hug everyone--teachers, cafeteria staff, custodians, and office staff. I have to admit, the hugs were by the far the highlight of my day.

I think the little guys are going to grow on me very quickly.