With school about to resume I accompanied a close young relative for a visit/orientation. First time going to school and all that. I remember my first day way back when and it was sort of scary, so I was along for support.
At one point a cognitive test was given. I can’t remember the science behind it nor its formal name as I was not paying close attention.
I passed with flying colors!
I can now say without embarrassment “I graduated Kindergarten”.
Taiwan (and Japan) kindergartens are three years. My wife started early simply because she was bored and no one to play with so she went for four years, a fact I never let her forget — that she couldn’t pass kindergarten the first time.
Several years ago during marathon training season, my running club ran along with a group of middle-school girls in some sort of informal 5K race. I’m happy to report that I beat every single one of the girls! One of them was pretty fast, but I held off her challenge in the end.
I didn’t need Kindergarten academically; I could already read my older sister’s 2nd grade primer (Dick and Jane) when I started Kinder at age 4. What I needed was the maturity and social skills. I couldn’t button or zip a coat, or tie my shoes. I don’t remember having any friends before K.
Come to think of it, I don’t remember having any friends in K, either. Or 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade. I wonder how many people thought I would grow up to be a serial killer.
I am not sure. I was just a visiting relative, and took it on a lark. I was bespitten (a word I just made up) by the director who had had red hair and blue eyes (Yes, I am a male and roll that way ). I got to look at their agenda and it seems they will get to explore the world/nature if not close-up but from many other sources. Great for them.
All I remember from my kindergarten class is taking a nap, so I am slightly biased.