Ontological shock leads to growth

As a kindergarten teacher, I know a little about ontological shock, and in the long run everybody survives. You see, the students who attended daycare or preschool might have a five percent understanding of what is coming, but by-and-large the majority of my students have no idea that their new reality is seven hours of daily academics. The first week of school they cry, they argue, they bargain, they ask, “Can we just be done with this?” (after 15 minutes of practice writing their name when their hand started to hurt). Life is so different compared to what it was a week ago, chilling, watching TV, playing on your tablet, hugging mom, chasing your pet. But, you know what? Once their independent reading abilities kick in they actually start to like school. They make friends, they connect to birthday parties, they feel smart and, most importantly, in control of their destinies.