50 Things Elementary School Students Should Do

Author: Wang Xingfan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: A song, a burst of laughter, we grew up happily in golden childhood; nourished by sweet dew and bathed in sunshine, we walked through unforgettable years with ease! Exploring in fairy tales, seeking harmony and exploration in brilliant years, in laughter and tears, 50 things accompanied us as we grew up. For primary school students, these are the most precious years of life. On this starting line of life, some things may seem ordinary, some habits may seem casual, yet they often shape a person's entire life. Therefore, during primary school, some habits must be cultivated, and some things must be experienced firsthand. These 50 things make our childhood happier and our future brighter.
One day, my son held a book and asked me, "Mom, when you were in primary school, did you plant a tree of your own?"
"Yes, I did. It's something primary school students must do on Arbor Day!"
"I did too!" my son replied proudly. "Did you ever raise a puppy?"
"Of course! I love puppies. And your uncle often brings home puppies, kittens, even rabbits and birds from other people's houses. But after he brings them, he never takes care of them, so I have to raise them!"
"I never raised one!" my son said dejectedly.
"Mom can consider letting you raise a puppy!" I didn’t know why his expression was so serious, but I didn’t want him to feel down.
"Really? That’s great! Then I’ve only got 15 things left to do!" my son said joyfully in a mysterious tone.
I was surprised. "15 things left?"
"Yes! Did Mom ever give gifts for your grandparents' birthdays when she was young?"
My son didn’t answer my question but continued.
"No, I didn’t. But I’ve always regretted it!"
"I’ll give gifts for you and Dad’s birthdays. I don’t want to regret that!"
His face lit up with happiness again. "Then did Mom ever..."
I was surprised that he asked a question every time he checked the book in his hand.
"What book are you reading?"
"It’s 50 Things Primary School Students Should Do. All my classmates are reading it. I’ve almost finished 35 things, but I’m only in third grade!"
He said proudly.
I took the book from his hand. His series of questions made me curious: how many things had I missed doing during my primary school years.
The striking yellow cover, with a playful sun on it, and the simple structure of the chapters—indeed, a lovely children’s book. No wonder my son and his classmates were so crazy about it, even reading it to their own parents.
I sat down and read with my child, partly to test him and partly to test myself. I realized that these simple words had taught my child so much, and they also made me realize how much of my childhood was missing.
If someone asks you, "What do you remember about your childhood?" Many people might reply, "It’s too far away now; only some vague memories remain!"
But it’s not that childhood is too far away—it’s that childhood leaves us with too little.
Think back to your primary school years: Did you ever get close to the sea and listen to its stories? Did you ever do something special for your parents on their birthdays? Did you ever bravely say "I’m sorry" when you made a mistake?
If your answer is "yes," then how could your childhood only consist of vague memories?
If your answer is "no," then how could you smile and linger on the splendid memories of your childhood?
In memory, every time we moved, my parents would tell me, "Pack your own things neatly!" Because they knew that some things were precious to me—even they couldn’t touch them.
My belongings were simple: a diary (from first grade to graduation); many letters and books; my primary and secondary school exercise books, certificates, and unspoken creations; even handmade dolls that I still can’t bring myself to throw away.
I’m a nostalgic person, and childhood memories are a precious part of my mind. Therefore, every time we moved, I felt like a camel carrying the weight of years. Even when the memories pressed me down so hard I couldn’t straighten my back, I still willingly endured it. Because the past cannot be relived, only revisited in memory.
Unfortunately, my childhood had many regrets, such as not celebrating my parents’ birthdays.
Fortunately, every time my parents reminded me to pack my own things and memories, and to do the things I should at my age, I didn’t end up with only regrets in my childhood memories.
I wrote this article just to thank the author for using such a unique and ingenious way to tell children what they should do at their age, so they wouldn’t have regrets. It reminded me, as a loved child, to remember to give gifts for my parents’ birthdays. It also left behind his own fairy tale creation in his innocent handwriting; he learned to save his pocket money to donate to the Hope Project; and never threw trash carelessly.
I believe that 50 Things Primary School Students Should Do is a textbook that ensures your child won’t have regrets. Because children don’t know what they should do, and this book uses the experiences of adults and simple language to teach them so much.