PERSONAL NARRATIVE
Learning Life’s Important
Lessons from a Kindergartner
By Ellen JAVERNICK
“I
’m Olivia and I’m five,” the young
girl announces to everyone she
meets. I’m her kindergarten teach-
er, and just in case I’ve forgotten,
she introduces herself to me that
way almost every day. I haven’t for-
gotten Olivia, and I never will. I’ve
learned to look at the world through her eyes,
and in doing so I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned
that some people really don’t believe that
their hands are clean until they are complete-
ly dry. I didn’t know that big open areas like
gyms could b e as frightening for some kids as
small dark spaces are for the rest of us. Olivia
has taught me that routines and rituals that
seem boring and repetitive to many students
can be comforting to others. I’ve discovered
that I shouldn’t assume every child will be
able to transfer behavioral expectations into
new settings, but I’ve also learned that going
over those expectations helps all children act
politely. I’ve found that slower is sometimes
faster in the end. I’ve learned, and my stu-
dents have learned along with me, that fair is
not always equal.
Together Olivia and I have learned that if the
magic eye of the self-flushing toilet is cov-
ered, it won’t roar at us. We’ve learned that if
we race together to line up after recess, we
can both get there on time. We’ve learned
that if we set a timer in the lunchroom, Olivia
can beat the clock and be ready to go outside
with the rest of the class.
Kindergarten teachers often hold hands with
students to ensure positive behavior, and in
many cases to be sure we’ve not left any of our
perpetual stragglers, like Olivia, behind. At
the beginning of the year, Olivia made it clear
that I was not to hold her hand. I’m still not
allowed to hold her hand, but now she holds
mine.
Ellen Javernick is a kindergarten teacher who lives in Love-
land, Colorado. She’s also the author of numerous maga-
zine stories, articles, and books. One of her books, the very
popular What If Everybody Did That?, is often used to help
children internalize appropriate behavior.
Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 68 |
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