When I grow up
May 28, 2009
William graduated from kindergarten yesterday. He and his classmates looked so young, yet so grown up, in their cheery red caps and gowns. They entertained us with an impressive musical presentation, then each child received his certificate, stepped to the microphone, and told us what he wanted to be when he grew up. Among the dreams – a teacher, a gymnast, a football player, a doctor, a famous pianist, a zoo keeper, a veterinarian, a lawyer and a cabinet maker. When it was William’s turn, I was not surprised to hear him say, “When I grow up, I want to be an artist.”
When I grow up.......
William and Miss Nancy
Today he will come to my house for a few hours, and he will want to work on an art project. He’s been making books lately, filled with drawings of alien characters and pictures printed from my computer. We set a limit on how many he can print, not because I think it isn’t money well invested, but so he is aware that supplies and material cost money and it is not respectful of the planet to be wasteful.
If we talk about what he said at graduation, I will point out that he is already doing what he wants to do when he grows up. I would love to hear his explanation of why he loves to make art, but I won’t push the conversation for fear of making him self-conscious about it. I want making art to be as natural as breathing to him.
Today the scissors and colored pencils are out on his table and I have finished everything I need to do on the computer so he can click on the Poptropica bookmark on my menu bar, and get to work. When he grows up he can analyze why he wants to be an artist.
May 28, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Oh my beautiful boy!! I was so proud of him, I’m just glad he didnt say he wanted to be a roofer. I’m reeaallyy glad he wasnt the first boy that got embarrased and hid his face for the rest of the time.
May 28, 2009 at 1:19 pm
No, that would not have been good. This may be the first time most of them have had to do “public speaking”, and into a microphone! William seemed completely at ease. Even a complete stranger would have to agree with us that he is a beautiful boy, and that’s even taking into account that we might have a slight prejudice. Karol
May 28, 2009 at 1:42 pm
What a wonderful story… and maybe the adults who matter in his life will help him keep his dream alive. Just as you are doing here — by making art available to him.
May 28, 2009 at 9:12 pm
This is really great! And gives me some hope for the current education system; at least yours! I don’t remember any class or grade asking me to set a goal at such an early age.
At first, I thought “graduating from Kindergarten” was a little off. But if helps keep William inspired to pursue his dreams, whatever works!
When I was a kid, art classes seemed like a time filler; to just see who could keep within the lines of a coloring book. I wasn’t very good at that.
It wasn’t until I was in 8th grade, that art was taken seriously. I actually got an F, failed in ART! The only F I have ever received. I think it was because I made a kite that wouldn’t fly.
There was no political correctness back then, and it shocked me that I could receive an F in something as subjective as ART. I certainly wasn’t a slacker, my kite just wouldn’t fly!
I will never agree with that failed grade, but I know that it inspired me to build kites that did fly, and pursue other artistic endeavors. When I graduated from high school, the teacher that failed me came up to me and apologized for the F, but said “I knew you could do better; and you have done great!”
Let’s hope that William’s teachers nurture his talents with positive reinforcement and the constructive criticism necessary for him to be the best that he can be.
He’s off to a good start!
Brad
The Photo Finisher
http://thephotofinisher.com
May 29, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I have to say he must come by that ambition genetically
I think it’s a wonderful goal and you are helping him fulfill that dream today.
Anita
May 29, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Thanks Brad and Anita for your comments. Brad, I’m glad you went on to achieve artistic heights, in spite of your teacher’s inability to inspire. Quite the opposite! Isn’t it funny how we remember such things? I painted a person swimming underwater in the sixth grade, with elbow and knee joints, and lots of underwater plants. It was a very crowded paper as I remember it, and I was excited about it. My teacher’s only comment was, “Arms don’t bend that way.” I thought even at the time that she had really missed the point! Karol
May 30, 2009 at 5:54 am
Congratulations to William!! What a nice graduation.
I don’t think we had anything like that (it was soo long ago), but our kindergarten was part of the elementary school.
William is so lucky to have a grandmother who loves to spend time doing art with him. No wonder he wants to be an artist. Would love to see pics of some of his books.
Ellen
May 30, 2009 at 6:08 am
Hi Ellen, Thanks for the comment. I’m the lucky one to have an “art partner!” Art projects with children in the studio – sounds like a good blog topic to me. Karol
May 30, 2009 at 8:26 am
[...] night, I was commenting on a blog about young William graduating from Kindergarten. At first, I thought that it was ridiculous to have a ceremony for getting out of Kindergarten. But [...]
May 31, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Congratulations to everyone! Kindergarten is a really big deal, and it’s great that you don’t need to worry about what he’s going to do later on…Does photography fit in this profile? What a big year for you: one off to college, and one into elementary school. Bravo! Think of all your spare time…HA!
Cindy
June 1, 2009 at 12:50 am
It is interesting how as a society we are marking these milestones now. I don’t remember any celebrations for the school transitions that we celebrate now. I was surprised that my niece had a big celebration for graduating middle school. Unfortunately, it was a traumatic event for her. She is in high school now but it made me wonder about the kids that don’t graduate. My brother was held back and made to repeat kindergarten and the same for my nephew.
Sometimes we are ready to make the leap and sometimes we aren’t. How do the ones that need more time, support and experience be given that opportunity along with the faith and self confidence to succeed?
The support of key adults that allow our young ones to experiment and develop the skills and confidence needed.
Your grandson seems ready for his next big adventure, well supported by caring adults to guide his path.