Little Green Cot

Every afternoon we would have a nap time. The teachers would set out our little green cots with a pillow on each and something to keep us warm. We would all scurry around the room, choosing where we wanted to sleep and sometimes grabbing a toy to take with us. 1

Once we were all tucked into our cots the teacher would put on a record of children's songs. Today I remember "Puff the Magic Dragon", "Leaving on a Jetplane", and "If I Had a Hammer". I think it was the Peter, Paul and Mary record that my teacher favoured.2

During the hot summer days there would be either a fan blowing on us, or a breeze coming in from a cracked window. I would crawl under my nice warm sheet and leave only my head, an arm and a leg out to catch the cool breeze. Everytime the air touched my skin I would get goosebumps, but not the type from being cold or scared, they were the type from just being comfortable and relaxed.3

I felt to secure and happy in my little green cot. I would quickly drift into a dreamland by the third or fourth song and then, all too quickly, be awoken by the urge to pee. That may not sound pleasant, but all the teachers knew that when I awoke, I immediately had to be escorted to the bathroom (things haven't changed much since then).4

After washing my hands and walking back to my cot, everyone else had awoken. Sometimes there was the odd child that was so fast asleep, nothing could wake them, and in that case, we would all tip toe around them.5