September is a time of transition. The kids have gone back to school, and Addie has started attending kindergarten. Perhaps it’s a moment of happy coincidence that, while doing a bit of decluttering, we happened upon my kindergarten report card. From over 30 years ago.

Well, they didn’t call it a kindergarten report card, per se. After all, I wasn’t officially being graded on anything. Instead, the teachers provided a “progress report” three times over the course of the school year. In reading through some of these, I’m starting to see where Addie gets some of her habits and quirks.

After spending so much time choosing a kindergarten for her, it’ll be interesting to see what her first kindergarten report card will look like. For now, let’s hit the time machine back to the late ’80s and visit with a five-year-old Michael.

First Report: A Very Polite Boy

Michael has made a good adjustment to school. He works conscientiously at all the activities in kindergarten and usually achieves good results. When his work is done, Michael finds new tasks to do. Michael counts and recognizes the numbers to 100 and prints most of them to 100 (many backward). He knows most of the colours (not brown, gray or purple). Michael is a very polite boy.

I don’t have too many specific memories of kindergarten myself. That being said, it sounds about right that I’d work “conscientiously” even as a young child, even if I only “usually” achieve good results. The “polite boy” observation feels like it rings true for me too. It might also be why I was sometimes seen as a pushover, even into my adult years.

I do feel, though, that common courtesy really needs to be more common. That’s why we’ve been teaching our daughter to say please and thank you, and that she should be polite to strangers. And she knows most of her colours too.

Second Report: A Messy Picture

Michael continues to work well in most areas of the kindergarten programme. Math skills are very good. Reading skills are good, but he has some difficulty with the vocabulary in beginning sounds and rhyming word activities. Michael draws very well but often ends up with a messy picture because of carelessness when colouring. He is capable of good printing but he does not always take enough time with it. I am pleased Michael is beginning to attempt to print his own stories on his paintings.

You know how the first report talked about how I would find new tasks to do when my work was done? That might sound admirable, like I’m taking initiative. Truth be told, it was more novelty-seeking behavior, possibly coupled with some early FOMO. Because I want to do everything. I still do.

That might also explain the whole “carelessness” and “messy picture” bit too, as I was likely anxious to move on to the next thing. Starting a project, even as an adult, is way more energizing than the middle part. I’m sure we can all relate to that, right?

Third Report: Limited English

Michael has made excellent progress this year. He knows all the beginning and end sounds very well. He can print his own stories and is enjoying reading. His only weakness is his limited English. He must use it as much as possible this summer. I am very pleased that Michael is taking more time with his work and is achieving good results. He has been a very pleasant boy to teach.

This final kindergarten report card is perhaps the most curious. Given that I make my living today as a freelance writer and editor, it’s almost funny that my “only weakness” at the time was my “limited English.” I’d like to think I’ve overcome that shortcoming… or at least I’m working on it.

As far as kindergarten for Addie, even if I’m not ready, she’s been super excited and enthusiastic about the whole thing. She’s got this “big school” thing on lock… now, we just wait for her first kindergarten report card. Is her teacher going to say she’s a very polite girl who can be a little careless with her colouring?