10 KINDERGARTEN LESSONS THAT APPLY TO A PANDEMIC

The little life lessons we learned as children take on a whole new meaning when applied to a crisis. #covid-19 #pandemic #lifelessons

KINDERGARTEN LESSONS

I don't know if anyone else remembers the book by Robert Fulghum called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. It had a list of very simple and yet profound lessons that are taught to small children that also apply to adulthood, and being a compassionate and caring human being. I was thinking about the concept and how it relates to the recommendations we've been receiving for dealing with the Coronavirus and thought I'd share my 10 lessons from Kindergarten that have turned out to be incredibly useful in this time of global pandemic.


1. WASH YOUR HANDS

This has been the primary lesson we've all re-learned since COVID-19 descended upon us. When we were kids and got messy, the first thing we all had to do before moving onto a new activity was to wash our hands. Now it has a bigger and more vital application and it's something we're all doing several times a day - especially if we've been to the grocery store!


2. STAY AT HOME IF YOU'RE SICK

Kids hate missing out on Kindy, but we all knew it was important to stay home and not spread our germs to others. And here we are again, learning a simple truth - stay at home if you're sick, or if you're at risk, or if you want to be a responsible citizen. Quarantining yourself when there's sickness around is the simplest and best solution.


3. SHARE WITH OTHERS

Remember when your Mum told 
you to share your toys? Who'd have thought we'd have to be reminded to share our stuff when we were grown-ups? Obviously there's a lot of people who forgot that hoarding isn't sharing. Greed took over and people forgot their basic manners - thank goodness for supermarkets bringing in buying quotas so the rest of us have food to eat - and hopefully some toilet paper to use.


4. ENJOY BEING OUTSIDE

Playing outside was always a treat when we were little. Now it's become our go-to method to prevent cabin fever from staying isolated in our homes. Those of us who are still allowed to get out into nature and walk are really appreciating the beauty and freshness of the great outdoors. For those who can't, it will be all the more sweeter when they're allowed to again.


5. LISTEN 

Remember when your teacher would ask you all to stop and listen? Well, it's even more important these days when our world is in chaos and the situation changes daily. Closing our eyes and ears to what's going on, refusing to listen to warnings and recommendations puts not only yourself at risk, but others too. Let's be smart and listen to the experts.




6. PLAY NICELY

This comes back to making the classroom a pleasant place to be in. Treating each other with respect and valuing others. Another great reminder that it's not all about "Me" - that we should take the time to think about the welfare of the other people we share our neighbourhood (and our world) with.




7. BEING HOME IS GOOD 

When you're little you want to be at school with your friends and you don't want to miss out on anything (FOMO was a thing when you were a kid). But settling into home on the weekends and holidays could be fun too - and it's exactly the same now - take time to enjoy being at home - you're not missing anything if everyone else is home too.



8. BE KIND

Kindness doesn't always come naturally to small children - they have to be taught to think about others - especially others who are slower, or weaker, or less "able" than them. Kindness is a gift we give others and in times of crisis it can make all the difference - let's all be kinder - especially to those who are struggling the most.




9. ENJOY SMALL THINGS

Children love big exciting adventures, but they're also great at appreciating the small pleasures and joys that life has to offer. Adults get jaded and feel like they need big holidays or big purchases to bring them joy. Re-learning how to find the small pleasures and the joy in simple things is something we can all benefit from right now.


10. DON'T HIT OTHERS

Remember when your Mum would tell you off for fighting with your siblings? Learning not to push and shove, not to laugh at the mistakes of others, and to not always get our own way was a crucial part of childhood. Now it's even more important - you won't always get what you want and you won't always get treated fairly, but choosing to smile and let the losses go will make it easier in stressful times.


WHAT ABOUT YOU?

That's my little light-hearted look at simplifying life and using common sense to defeat the chaos we're currently facing. Do you have any other lessons from Kindergarten that apply to the Coronavirus outbreak that we're all dealing with? Feel free to add them into the comments - and stay at home, stay safe, stay in contact and remember that "This too shall pass". 

RELATED POSTS


The little life lessons we learned as children take on a whole new meaning when applied to a crisis. #covid-19 #pandemic #lifelessons
The little life lessons we learned as children take on a whole new meaning when applied to a crisis. #covid-19 #pandemic #lifelessons

To keep up to date with my posts, feel free to add your email into the spot especially for it on my sidebar and I'd love you to share this post by clicking on a share button before you go xx
This post was shared at some of these great link parties
Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive
What I can control and what I can't control in a pandemic #coronavirus #pandemic #COVID19

48 comments

  1. Loved this! Great reminder about what's really important!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was just a little thought that came to me and it's really all so simple if we choose to look on the bright side isn't it?

      Delete
  2. Hi Leanne, love your take on the CV and how to handle it. What annoys me is how difficult is it to follow instruction? Where I live they have taped off the outdoor gym equipment on the Esplanade so it can't be used. Yesterday I went for a walk and there were some young guys who had taken the tape off and were working out! Obviously they failed the "listen' lesson in Kindergarten! Take care and stay healthy xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue - it's the same with our local playground equipment - parents keep their kids home and then let them go and play on the climbing stuff at the park - what's with that?? I'm also a little cheesed with adults who think the rules don't apply to them - they obviously forgot to pay attention in class (or listen to their Mums when they were small).

      Delete
    2. I hear you - how difficult is it to follow instructions when it is for our own health? Thanks for hosting #MLSTL with me and I've shared on SM. It is a full house this week. xx

      Delete
  3. Hi, Leanne - Yes! Listening, following government mandates and using common sense are essential right now. And while so many are rising above and beyond the call, several outliers are taking stupid risks and making the current siutation worse for all. Your post spells solutions out so clearly. Why is this so hard for some poeple to follow?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I ask myself the same questions Donna - and why are these people only thinking of their own health - it's about the health of our community, and the elderly. I'm hoping that people will slowly learn that life isn't all about them and the "Me Generation" will wake up and start doing the right thing. They all seem to think they're bulletproof.

      Delete
  4. Hi Leanne -

    I think you have covered pretty much most of them. Like the first and the second. Something that is so basic, is it not, but we have been taking it for granted.

    I remember my father telling me, never go out if you are feeling well. But today, under pressure to perform, many people ignore that basic rule. The pandemic has sort of got us back to our basics.

    Take care and stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pradeep - I really do hope that we'll go forward from this being more aware of our health practices and what we can do to stop diseases spreading. It might even reduce the incidence of colds and flus every year if we all washed our hands after we've been in contact with shopping trolleys and in other public spaces.

      Delete
  5. Wonderful post, Leanne! Everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten. Wasn't that the name of a book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was indeed Laurie - I've linked to it in my first paragraph x

      Delete
  6. I love this. Made me laugh...esp the opening 'wash your hands'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a basic lesson - and one we all forgot about (except after using the loo!)

      Delete
  7. Mine was the first comment. Not sure why it doesn't have my name.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rita - commenting always has its whims!

      Delete
  8. Leanne, this is genius. It really isn't so difficult, and we just need to adhere to the basic simple principles we were taught long ago. I would add Take a nap. Sleep is so important for our physical and mental well being and our immune system!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the "take a nap" suggestion Michele - it does make it a lot easier to cope with things if you're well rested (and we have more time to nap now days!)

      Delete
  9. What a lovely, simple message, and so wise. Thanks for sharing it. #MLSTL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Enda - I thought it was sweet and simple and a great reminder in these complicated days.

      Delete
  10. Great post, Leanne. We've all been taught these principles in kindergarten yet some people "forget" and hence the saying one bad apple spoils the whole bushel. #MLSTL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Natalie - if we all listened and co-operated and worked together it would make life a lot easier (and solve the problem a lot quicker!)

      Delete
  11. Very clever Leanne and so true. Simple, basic things that we learnt as children apply more than ever now. I can't understand how people can disobey the rules and sleep at night. Stay safe xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel the same way Min - I think a lot of us were a bit blase about it to start with, but as the seriousness increased, it became everyone's responsibility to step up - those who haven't deserve a time out in their rooms!

      Delete
  12. Hi Leanne, we are all going learn to appreciate the small things in life. Take Care

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I certainly am - I'm so grateful for a safe haven in our home and all the things I've taken for granted that I now see are absolute blessings!

      Delete
  13. Hi Leanne, I think the world will be a different place after this - we'll realise what is truly important in life. I suspect many people won't want to rush back to how it was before. As an introvert and homebody, my life hasn't changed that much but people who are social butterflies and love going out all the time are probably struggling with it. Thanks for reminding us of those important basic lessons in life - some people really didn't grow past kindergarten stage!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel the same way about our life too - some of my weekly outings are on hold, but I'm actually quite happy having a break from everything for a while. It will all rush back in on us and we'll be chasing our tails before we know it. I really hope that the pause has given us time to see what's really important.

      Delete
  14. This is brilliant Leanne. I love that you’ve found ways to compare kinder to the pandemic. You stay safe too #MLS Shared

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were so many similarities Jennifer - I had to stop at ten or the post would have gone on forever - I think Michele's suggestion about taking a nap should definitely be on the list!

      Delete
  15. Love it - and grinning as I tell my husband and 22 year old to play nicely with the jigsaw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That made me laugh Jo - isn't it funny how we all revert back to being kids when the chips are down (or the jigsaw pieces are in dispute!)

      Delete
  16. I love this. What a great reminder of how to basically be a good human on planet earth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the simple things really isn't it Jennifer? Reminding ourselves to be good humans and to put others before ourselves - something we should all have picked up in childhood, but some seemed to have skipped over that part!

      Delete
  17. Hi Leanne, what makes me sad for humanity is that shops HAD TO bring in quotas/limits so people wouldn't hoard. It's unbelievable really, that humans can't manage that themselves at this very difficult time. Just so selfish, the photos I've seen online of trolleys piles high, most with toilet paper (I STILL can't understand that!). Here in Bucharest, I've seen no examples of hoarding, panic buying or buying more than people need. And everyone's calm. I think the biggest kindergarten lesson we have to remember is be kind to people. 'Do unto others...' Thank you for this post, I hope the people who need to read it will find it. :-) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl - it was interesting that when they brought in special shopping times for the pensioners there were people fighting over getting a trolley - so age is not determiner of basic human kindness and sharing. Things here are slowly settling, but there are still shortages of crazy things like flour and sugar. People have certainly surprised me in their selfishness since this happened. But there are a lot of good people too and for that I'm truly grateful.

      Delete
  18. What a fabulous idea and creative post execution. Will re-share in hopes that everyone will get aboard and do their share to prevent COVD-19 virus from spreading. Stay safe, well, and as you mention... ENJOY SMALL THINGS! Thanks for hosting this GREAT blog party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy - thanks so much for sharing my post and yes, the small things are what really count - all the glitz and glitter seem to be falling by the wayside atm and nobody seems to be really missing them. Maybe it will bring us back to simpler times when this is all over?

      Delete
  19. I have to admit that I had never heard of this book Leanne, but it has very sensible advice and your take on it all was very enjoyable. I particularly liked the enjoy small things. Stay well and i have shared for #mlstl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deb - I haven't read the book, but I'd heard of it and it triggered something in my head when I thought about all the little things our mums and teachers taught us in childhood that seem to have gotten left behind in the rush of life. Remembering them made such a lot of sense to me.

      Delete
  20. Hi Leanne,
    Ok, I must say I had such a great laugh with your post. Not making light of this uncertainty we are living in. I just smiled all the way through reading it as it made me reminisce about my childhood and my children's childhood and all..the...things... Thank you for sharing such incredible tips and for making me smile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lucia - I smiled while I was writing it too - the simplicity and the basics of it all and how they make so much sense in this time of chaos. And I'm glad we could share a smile - because that's so important right now.

      Delete
  21. I remember the teacher saying 2 things over and over, maybe we just like to touch each other too much. Lotsa hugging going on, lol.

    "Keep your hands to yourself" and "Cover your mouth".

    Those still apply today.

    ~Allison
    #MLSTL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loved them both Allison - I'm not a huge hugger, but I must say I miss giving my Mum a hug when I see her, and I miss giving my kids and grandgirls hugs too - this too shall pass (hopefully!!)

      Delete
  22. Hi Leanne, it's amazing how these simple kindergarten 'standards' are so applicable to our current world situation. Every single one. Apparently many of us forgot what we learned as five-year-olds. Stay safe and well, I've shared on SM.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Candi - I think this coronavirus thing is bringing us all back to basics. Remembering a few of the simpler lessons from our childhood and putting them into practice seems like such a good idea to me right now.

      Delete
  23. Now that you mention it, Leanne, I have heard about this book. A great find to bring up right now. The “Don’t hit others” was a huge laugh out loud. I appreciate all of the comments especially Donna on the “outliers.” An excellent post and great reminders, Leanne. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved Jo's comment about her husband and daughter fighting over the jigsaw Erica - it gave me a giggle. These are strange times we're living in aren't they? That being said, I'm SO grateful that we're not being more impacted - our govt is doing a great job of containing things (although I do miss the kids!)

      Delete
  24. Very cute but appropriate! Thanks so much for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop link party!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.