Line Up!

Line Up!

When I was an elementary school special educator, it was mind-boggling to watch (and hear) classroom teachers spend so much time getting their students to line up in perfectly straight (and quiet) lines. It seemed like a massive waste of time to focus on this task when there were so many other things that were more important.

It frustrates me when I observe (and hear) this same focus of straight lines in early childhood programs. This practice is absolutely not developmentally appropriate. While I know we are often told we are “preparing” our youngest learners for kindergarten, this statement is false. We are supporting young children as they build the foundational skills for life, which includes one year of kindergarten. Setting unrealistic expectations doesn’t prepare children. It actually sets them up for failure. 

When young children are out and about with their families, they often hold the hand of their trusted adult. When they stand in line at the grocery store, they stand next to their grown-up. It makes more sense for our youngest learners to move through the spaces outside our classrooms, holding the hand of a peer.

It’s also important to remember that not all lines we stand in are straight. When you go to the bank or post office, you often stand in a line that zigzags. Instead of placing a straight tape line at your classroom door, try a zigzag or s shape. Instead of making it a chore to leave the classroom, make it an enjoyable adventure!