Kindergarten experience

I volunteered at DD's kindergarten these past 2 days and I am impressed! I had a lot of fun and most importantly, a firsthand experience to see what my child is learning at school. The school structure here is very different than what we have in M'sia. Heck, I don't think we even have that at that age. The kindergarteners in this school have to learn (and obey) transportation procedures, classroom policy & procedures, lifeskills as well as basic writing and reading. Things that may seem simple and second nature to most of us adults for example responsibility, caring for self and property, friendship, collaboration, etc.; are integrated into the learning experience. In the 3.5 hours, the teacher's "friends" (as they are all refered to in the classroom NOT KIDS) learn to count, write, rhyme, listen, participate, discuss, solve problems, eat and chat as the teachers and parent helpers try to stay on schedule and organized. They have an agenda for the day to aid with the day's learning expectations. Some of them act a teacher helpers and are given weekly responsibilities - someone will be the line leader, someone to turn off the lights and someone to gather the chalk and bring it back to the classroom. I wish I was a kid again. It's so much fun in this learning environment.