What did your child learn today?
A typical 6 year old in the United States starts his day between 5:30 and 7:00 in the morning. If your lucky, he's a morning person. If your not...
too bad - The important people decided he should get up early and go to school.
Chances are that he'll ride a bus for an hour or so to get to this "school". Around 8:00 or 8:30 he will probably sit down in a small seat at a table with other children or in a little desk beside other little kids in desks.
O.K. He's sitting down. He's been up between 2 and 3 hours and has only went to the bathroom once this morning. You got him to eat breakfast first today, so he's not hungry yet. The teacher looks around the room and sees that most of the children are in their seats. The room gets quiet. The teacher starts to talk.
Three hours later, the teacher tells the children to get ready for lunch. Your six year old has now been up between 5 and 6 hours. His belly is small and matabolism high so he's been starving for the last hour or so and hasn't heard the teacher. The children put away their belongings and start to get in line. Your child's name starts with U so he gets in the back of line. The only child behind him is the new girl - Jane Young.
The kids are talking at a low growl when the teacher turns off the lights. She waits for the children to "pay attention". When everyone is silent and looking at the teacher like stray puppies, the lights come on and the teacher leads them into the hall.
If you were to pick your child up early today, you would likely see a dozen worksheets in his desk that he has completed just this morning. If you're very lucky, there will also be a wet painting with his name on it in the other side of the room. If you're lucky.
But for now, let's say you're not going to pick him up early. The class starts down the long hallway towards the caffeteria. They can now smell the meatloaf and green beans. They see other lines of children going in the door. Your child's class will wait until Mrs. Jones class gets in and then they're next. Mrs. Jones class has a little problem. A little girl is sick and can't wait for the teacher to send her to the office. She throws up in the hall.
The janitor is called. The children with your son now smell the "other" smell and are told to back up.
The little sick girl in Mrs. Jones class is now taken to the office to call her mommy.
O.K. The mess is covered with a powdery smell absorber that hides it from the children a little. Your son's class is moving towards the caffeteria again. They are told to stay over on the left side of the hall as they get to the door. Finally, they are to the door and little Johnny Adams is getting his tray for lunch. Baggies of milk are distributed.
There are 26 children in your child's class. Your son just learned how to burp louder than Tommy Tyler, who is always in front of him in line for lunch. Soon Tommy Tyler is picking his nose and your son laughs as Tommy eats his bounty.
Johnny Adams is a nice boy and you know his mother from church. Of course, your son never gets near Johnny at school because his name starts with A.
Tommy Tyler's mom is the cashier at the local supermarket where you shop. She has four other children and no husband. Two of the kids have the same dad. She always comments on your food choices. "My boys won't never eat them vegatables.", she tells you. One day she burped in your face as she counted your change.. She laughed. Your son was with you and he laughed too.
The day is only half over. Your son is eating lunch with Tommy Tyler.
