Before coming to Japan, Tiantian - my daughter was 1 year at a nursery school in the country. Tell that to know we're not strangers to talk to kindergarten. However, what I witnessed at the originating nursery school in mourning still makes me "stunned." 8 I would mention here that "weird" for kindergarten in Japan:

The first day of admission, the teacher explained to me that she needs to prepare for the first series of bags with different sizes. A bag for books, a blanket bag, a bag for eating utensils, a box for eating utensils, a bag of clothes, a bag of clothes instead, a map pocket for storage after changing out, and a shoe bag. Then she carefully the recommendations: A bag right length so-and-so, bag width B must have such-and-such, C bags must conform to pocket D and E must be put in pocket F. I can only truly "open-mouthed." Some kids even have to ask her for the hand bags.

After two years of kindergarten, we got used to it, and the kids become very good at putting things into its proper place. I often think that this is also the reason that people are not afraid Kyoto classification of their garbage because they have been taught this from childhood.

This is a sight that really shocked me: When dropping off your child to school or pick them up, I noticed that all the other parents, be parents or grandparents do not always go hand. While the bags are all different sizes (at least two or three) as I mentioned above is portable by the little girl, little boy Chun Lun. Moreover, they also have portable walk very fast!

We are the stars? Perhaps out of habit, perhaps because of the cultural differences, but I usually carry bags for children, and they go hand Tiantian. A few days later, the teacher came and had a conversation with me: "I Tiantian, school, girls do everything alone ...". The Japanese have a habit of just saying half sentences, and for you to understand the rest. I immediately realized that she was meant to ask about the situation at home Tiantian, but when he saw I was still thinking, the teacher continued, "... free school bags is an example ... ". After this subtle reminder, I let Tiantian carry her bags.

When parent-teacher conferences, I tell people that in my country parents often done everything for their children.In turn, the Japanese mothers "stunned." The same heart as one, they ask: "Why?"

Why? Is it because we love our children more than mothers Japanese?

Tiantian's kindergarten Japan has its own uniform. When Tiantian to class, she has to take it off and get dressed for the game. Be well and take off his shoes instead sneakers pans as white ballet shoes. When you go into the exercise yard, you have to change shoes. After a nap, the kids changed clothes again. Really annoying.

When Tiantian was in Chrysanthemum class, she dressed very slow and I can not help you a hand. But I quickly realized that all Japanese women are standing aside, no one to help their child. I slowly found that the dressing seemed "weird" also contributes parenting and self-made independent in life. Through the school, such as changing clothes, put a "star" daily , handkerchiefs hanging up the price ... these kids start learning habits to keep everything tidy since last 2.3 years old.

Children in schools in Japan wear shorts (shorts) even in winter, no matter how cold weather. Grandparents of my daughter at home was very nervous, and constantly remind me to talk to the teacher about this problem, because the Japanese do not like kids, can not stand the cold.

The mother must also understand one thing, when children started kindergarten, she will be sick, will cough, runny nose will sneeze constantly. But when I talk to Japanese mothers on this issue, their answer surprised me. "Of course! Reason we send children to kindergarten is to be patient."

Seeing the child's health gradually change and adapt to the different conditions, I suddenly realized that we should not spoil your child by covering them so thoroughly.

We tend to get used to each class will have a separate program and the kids to school in his classroom. In Japan on the other.

All preschool classes are named after a flower. When the new school, starting with Class Tiantian daisies, then Lily, now she has one of the "sister" school, grade Violet. For babies 1 year old will not be rounded grouped into a class called cherry layer.

Before 9:30 am and after 3:30 pm, the students will be the same playing field. In the large courtyard of the school, most young babysitter baby, kids chase big kids and they play extremely sociable. Japanese children can experience the feeling of "brothers and sisters" and thus, conscious of the age, maturity itself also increased markedly.

In Japanese kindergarten, it seems they are not interested in intellectual education for children. They do not have textbooks, only a few new picture book each month. In the educational plan of the school, nor do any subjects such as math, singing, drawing, or even English, bowl sets, writing ...

So the teaching kindergarten in Japan what? When I ask this question, the teacher replied: "We teach the children how to laugh." In Japan, regardless of who you are, who you're talking to, how to laugh is what important. A girl with a big smile is always the best.

Early childhood education has taught Japanese for? They teach children how to say "Thank you." We can say that all Japanese people consider important, then in our country, it is not the focus. However I noticed that, after 3 school year, even Tiantian has improved the ability of music, art, and reading letters. These children come from improvements to reach a comprehensive education.

Preschools in Japan very well organized picnics. That also means that I have to mark my calendar for the day to prepare lunch box for her son to take everything off. I can not count how many times Tiantian go hiking, watch how much she saw, or how many baby animals or plants met.

Besides, Tiantian and is also picking up acorns, baking, participating sports festival, performing for community events, sleeping outside the dike, to the famous festival, temple attendance, exhibitions ... I just know that a lot.

In a Japanese preschool classes 10-30 students, but only one teacher. Initially I was quite suspicious, if only a teacher but can control it all about students indeed "extraordinary." Then I found out that I had underestimated the form teacher Japanese education. To a teacher, she was able to organize the cultural program of the baby (very professional), 30 works of art, music, reading, thirty birthday child so ... all old rules and methods. Looking at the teacher, I see her always happy and comfortable, although also has about 50 years of age.

Indeed, what I have "firsthand" about education and parenting in Japan indeed always makes me feel interesting and admirable.