Every year, in the spring, I notice it. The kids that used to be so enthusiastic in their singing start to stand or sit in stone silence. Fourth and fifth-grade boys are the hardest. They start to be very aware of others and have no desire to do anything “uncool.”
I have to admit I was that kid. The last thing I wanted to do was get noticed. Embarrassment was my greatest fear. Now that I’m older, I realize that was silly. So what if I clap off beat? What does it matter if I sing off-key? If I am having fun, what does it matter if I look like a fool?
After all, I’ve never seen a person trying to look cool that also looked like they were having fun. “Cool” seems to mean looking bored and apathetic. Forget it! Have fun! clap a little! sing a lot! Enjoy life. Let the cool people have their boredom.
I drew this cartoon for Kidzmatter Magazine.
