Hi Mini-Lori,
As you go through pre-k and kindergarten, you’ll be very shy. You’re an introvert so you’ll be quiet and prefer to blend into a pack of kids. You haven’t learned how to play basketball yet. So you haven’t learned the confidence that you’ll derive from your successes in basketball. You’re having a blast though. The cartoons you loved as Kindergartener, like Scooby-Do, Where Are You?, The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour, and Underdog, are still the cartoons you watch as an adult. These shows are your comfort food, ones that you play in the background as you work.
Mini-Lori, the Day Dreamer
You also have an annoying habit of not paying attention. You’ll be prone to distraction to the point that in your kindergarten class picture you will be looking to your left side instead of looking at the camera like your classmates. You just had to see what was going on in the hallway while the photographer was taking your class picture. You’re mother will not be happy with you, although as an adult you’ll think it’s amusing. Dorky, but amusing.
Practice paying attention in kindergarten because this habit will be a problem for you through 2nd grade and affect your learning. You won’t read during reading time. Your 2nd grade teacher will think that you need to be in special education because she thinks you can’t read very well, when in fact, you just don’t like concentrating during reading time. You’d rather look around the room, seeing what your classmates are doing. Guess what, all your classmates are reading, so there’s nothing to look at! So read the book!
Back to kindergarten, you’re learning to interact with other kids your age that are not your brother Mark, who’s six years older than you are. Mark will be the grounding force for you. He’ll never be embarrassed that he takes care of you after school hours. He’ll always be there for you, taking you to and from home to pre-k and kindergarten.
Mark’s Creative, Learn from His Favorite Toys
Pay attention to Mark, he’s discovered a passion for art and schoolwork that you can learn from. Mark loves to read, which you should start doing too. Mark loves writing and drawing figures for his school reports. He’ll be gifted in drawing, using colored pencils. He’ll understand that presentation is everything.
In fact, you’ll love looking at his school report that has a specal contact papered book cover. It’s perfectly hand written, complete with a color drawing of a paramecium and photosynthesis. Mark’s favorite toy will be his Spirograph. His talent for detail and color will inspire you. In fact, you’ll love your LiteBrite because of Mark’s creativity with Spirograph.
Action Items
- Be comfortable with networking. Learn to interact more with your teacher and classmates so you can start becoming comfortable with others. While you don’t know it yet, you’ll have to learn to network in business. You’ll have to go to public events, meeting with people you don’t know.
- Learn to turn on your extroverted personality. It turns out that you’re an INTJ (introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging), according to the Myers-Briggs Personality Type that says, “You have an original mind and a great drive for implementing your ideas and achieving your goals. You quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, you organize a job and carry it through. You are skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance – both for yourself and others.” Try to be more extroverted and derive energy from interacts with others. In the future, you’ll need to learn how to be extroverted at will. It will take you years to figure this out, so why not start learning it now?
- Practice reading by yourself because right now you don’t like reading. Ask your mother to read to you, even if she says she’s too busy. While you’re not spoiled, Mother always does what you want because she knows you’re a good kid. You can train her to read to you rather than just buying you the books. Unfortunately, she thinks you’re like Mark, who reads even if he isn’t asked to read. If she doesn’t have time, then ask Mark to read to you.
- Pay attention; be in the moment by concentrating on what you’re supposed to be doing. If it’s reading time, then read. Stop looking around the room, seeing what your classmates are doing. By learning to be mindful, meditation will be much easier in the future. Trust me, the other kids are all reading. You’re not missing out on anything!
- Don’t resent sleeping. Take naps when you’re supposed to instead of pretending that you are like you do in Kindergarten. Sleep up to eight hours every night. Studies will show that people who get less than eight hours of sleep will have cardiovascular health and weight problems. People who are sleeping impaired will have diminished motor skills, similar to those who are legally intoxicated. Sleep.
- Be curious and enjoy creativity. Be curious about what your brother’s school work because he has an innovative approach to his homework and school projects. Learn from his creativity, focus, and pride in his work. You’ll learn to be curious, but not until your mid-30s. Think of all the new possibilities you could have pondered if you would have learned this in Kindergarten.
- Learn about artistic inspiration and color palettes. When you and Mark are playing with Spirograph, ask Mark how and why he chooses the shape of the template, the wheel size, and color of pens. Ask Mark, what other toys he likes that is similar to Spirograph so you can learn how to play with those toys too. If you take an interest, you’ll tap into your creative side sooner rather than in your early 40s.
