Dear Graduates, today we gather to honor your hard work and commitment. It has been quite a journey to reach this significant moment, and just a quick reminder—please refrain from hitting one another with your caps!
Graduation signifies that you’ve successfully completed preschool, and soon enough, you’ll embark on your adventure as kindergartners. You might encounter challenges and obstacles ahead. It will take determination and resilience to thrive in elementary school, but I believe each of you possesses what it takes.
Some of the most valuable lessons you’ll learn will occur outside the classroom—in the cafeteria and on the playground. I’m not referring to practical advice like avoiding lunch on sloppy joe day or steering clear of hot monkey bars on sunny days—though those are definitely useful pointers! Rather, I mean you’ll gain wisdom from your peers, and hopefully, they will learn from you too.
On your first day at school, pay attention to the child sitting alone in the lunchroom. Look for the little girl who’s feeling sad because she misses her mom. Notice the kid standing by himself on the playground while others engage in games. Be their friend. Sit beside them, reassure them that everything will be alright, and invite them to play with you. Encourage your friends to do the same.
It’s essential to stand up for others. If you witness unkindness, intervene. Remind your classmates that we should treat each other with kindness because playing and making friends is far more enjoyable when everyone is included. The world needs individuals who champion kindness, and you can be those individuals! Make it your mission right now to spread niceness wherever you go.
Always remember that the most fascinating kids are those who embrace their uniqueness. Isn’t it wonderful that no two people look, sound, or think alike? If someone has interests that seem a bit unusual or intimidating, muster the courage to ask them about it. Share in their excitement. Embrace the opportunity to learn about new experiences and perspectives. Having friends who are different from us is a delightful adventure.
You can embrace your individuality too. You don’t need to wear the same outfits, eat the same foods, or enjoy the same shows and characters as everyone else. Each of us has our own preferences. And the best part? We can express ourselves in any way we choose. We have our own bodies and lives, allowing us to explore countless fun possibilities. Be whoever you want to be!
Be a helper. The world greatly needs helpers, and age is no barrier—even at 5 or 6 years old, your contributions matter. You can make a difference! If someone falls and scrapes their knee, check to see if they’re alright. If a friend struggles with a heavy backpack, lend a hand. Help wipe the whiteboard for your teacher. If a peer is feeling down, offer them a hug or share a toy. Let them know you care. Acts of kindness like these are far more impactful than being ahead in your reading group.
Don’t feel pressured to decide what you want to be when you grow up right now. Grown-ups often ask this question because they struggle to find other topics to discuss with children. You shouldn’t concern yourself with a future job that’s still many years away. For now, your primary responsibility is to play, discover, create, and take things apart to understand how they work. Dive into your imaginations, craft stories, and embark on adventures.
As an adult, you may have to wear certain uniforms or suits, style your hair a specific way, or forfeit wearing a tiara daily. But for now, enjoy dressing up! Wear quirky costumes and colorful outfits with light-up shoes and glittery tops. Go wild with your fashion choices.
And speaking of creativity, have fun with it! Don’t feel obliged to create a brown horse if you envision it as a sparkling aqua color. Make a variety of things—tangible items that you can touch, flip, and explore. Grab the glue, stapler, and scissors (with your parents’ permission, of course) and unleash your creativity.
You will learn to read, write, solve math problems, and explore history. Some of you may take longer to grasp certain concepts, but that’s perfectly fine. In just a few years, your minds will be bursting with knowledge. View school as an exciting journey that you embark upon daily, and don’t be too hard on yourselves.
We, the grown-ups, don’t expect perfection. If you make a mistake or find yourself in a tricky situation, remember that this is part of learning and growing. Just as you can clean up a big mess with teamwork, life is similar. Messes can always be tidied up. Often, you’ll have another opportunity. If you don’t land the role you wanted in the school play, cheer for the person who did and trust that your time will come too. We all face disappointments, but we also have chances to shine.
Congratulations to all the preschool graduates! We are incredibly proud of each one of you.
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Summary
This commencement address encourages preschool graduates to embrace kindness, individuality, and creativity as they transition into kindergarten. It emphasizes the importance of helping others, standing up against unkindness, and enjoying the learning journey. Mistakes are opportunities for growth, and it’s vital to remember that messes can always be cleaned up.