Before you begin your journey to rediscover your childhood, ask your parents (if still alive) if they kept anything, such as report cards, class pictures, yearbooks, art work. Or look in your own storage boxes to see if you kept things and have forgotten about it over the years. It might save a lot of searching and also help spark memories (such as the horrible haircuts my mother used to give me!).
I have a clear memory of starting kindergarten. My mother informed me she’d walk me to school that first day. I was having none of that! My school was around the corner from home, and a few minutes down the street. I was determined to go to my first day of school with my friends from our street, who were all walking there together. They were older than me, and I didn’t learn until afterward that my mother had followed us all the way to school. But it felt empowering at five years old to be doing this on my own, even if I only imagined it.
You may not recall much from your own early years, but perhaps a few incidents stand out. If you find pictures, they could help you remember even more.
How old were you when you started school?
Did you attend any pre-kindergarten groups before kindergarten? How did you feel that first day? Nervous, excited? Did a family member or friend walk you to school? Was it a half day, or a full day? Did you go shopping for new clothes? Did you have to wear a uniform?
Where did you go to elementary school?
Was the first school you attended close to home, and were you able to walk there? Did you walk to school with friends or on your own? Did you go home for lunch or did you bring one? Did you have to take a bus, and if so, how did you feel about that? Did you switch schools during those years, or stay in the same one from Grade 1 to Grade 6 (or equivalent)?
Draw a map from your home to school.
Either download a map of where you lived or hand draw a map showing the path(s) you took to and from school. Where did your friends live? Was there anything along the route that you looked forward to seeing, or any that caused you trouble?
Favorite teacher in elementary school?
Can you remember their name? Describe what they looked like. What made them your favorite? What subject did they teach? Did you have them for more than one subject and/or more than one year? Did they inspire you in any way? Did they help you with something special (reading, self-confidence, handstands)?
Least favorite teacher in elementary school?
What made this teacher the least liked? Was this teacher unliked by many, or did something happen between the two of you? How, if at all, did this teacher affect your life? Did you learn anything useful from them (looking back now as an adult)?
Favorite subject in elementary school?
Did that subject stay the same throughout, or did you change from, say, math to art? What was it that made this subject your favorite? What subject came easily? Did you continue learning about a subject at home on your own time? Did anything excite you so much in those formative years that it led to your current occupation?
Least favorite subject in elementary school?
What was the number one hated subject and why? Did you have problems with any subject starting out, like reading, writing, or math? How did you overcome that, if you did? Have you suffered through your life because of any one subject? Looking back, which hated subject do you wish you had mastered?
Did you take part in any extra activities?
Did your school put on Christmas shows and did you play a part in them (willingly or not)? Were there book fairs and what did you buy, if anything? Did you go on field trips? Where did you go and were they fun? Why or why not? Did you have bake sales, and what did your mother make, or did you bake the goodies yourself (come on, be honest!)?
Gym class.
What types of sports do you remember playing in elementary school? Did your school have a big gym or a small gym? Did you go outdoors for any sports? Did you like gym or hate it, and why? Who was your gym teacher? What did you like or dislike about them?
Who were your friends?
If you lived near your school, did you have the same friends throughout elementary school? Perhaps the same kids attended, but did the friendships change? Who was your best friend and what did you like most about them? Did you dislike anyone? If so, why? Were you ever bullied? If so, by who and did you ever discover why? How did you handle it? Did parents and teachers get involved? Did you ever retaliate and seek revenge?
Recess.
Did you always go outside at recess? Was there any fun equipment in the schoolyard, or just a playing field and you made your own fun? If it rained or was too cold outside, did you stay in your classes, roam the halls, find a spot to sit and read? What snacks did your mother pack for recess? Did you trade with other kids?
Front office and Principal.
Did you ever have to go to the principal’s office? If so, what for? Were your parents ever called in to see the principal? Do you remember the front desk secretary? Were they nice, abrupt, scary, offer comfort? Was there a school nurse? Were you ever sick at school and have to go home? Did someone come to get you or did you just walk home?
Your Turn:
- Find a picture of your elementary school. (Google)
- Draw a map of the route you took to school from home, even the bus route, if you took a bus.
- Find any report cards or works of art you created. Ask your parents.
- Make a list of your best friends. Are you still friendly? Where are they now? Check out Facebook and see what they’re up to.