Report “Experience in organizing preschool education in Japan”

Japanese kindergarten.

Nursery (保育園) vs Kindergarten (幼稚園)

The terms 幼稚園 (yochien) and 保育園 (hoiken) are used interchangeably, but in Japan they are fundamentally different institutions.

In fact, understanding the difference confuses even Japanese parents at first. We'll just look at the differences before diving into kindergarten life, school schedules, materials, textbooks and fees.

Let's start by looking at the main differences between preschools and kindergartens in Japan.

Nursery-kindergarten (保育園)

Nursery school is hoikuen (保育園) in Japanese. This is for babies (yes) from 56 days to children 6 years old.

Hoikuen is sometimes translated into Russian as “nursery,” despite the fact that the Japanese version implies a completely different reality. Children from zero to six years old go to Hoikuen. Teachers look after them. Children play, sing songs, sleep during quiet hours, but... are not at all engaged in any study or preparation for school.

The day care center is under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), which issues the day care worker license (保育士 | houkushi).

The main purpose of day care centers in Japan is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for infants and children while their primary caregiver is at work.

No educational program, only quality supervision from morning until late evening. Sometimes educators can, on their own initiative, teach children to read and write, but this is quite rare.

Meals are provided (at most locations) and children develop language and social skills through interactions with friends, as well as gross and fine motor skills through play.

Daycare is a great option if you are a working parent.

Kindergartens in Japan are open from Monday to Friday, sometimes on Saturdays, depending on location. Some daycare centers operate 24 hours a day or overnight to accommodate parents who are working second or third shifts. Other day care centers offer respite care "as needed" (一時保育 | ichiji hoiku).

Why are young children in Japan so independent?

To place a child in an approved hoikuen, parents must document that they are unable to care for the child during the day for valid reasons (for example, both parents work, or one parent is unable to work due to illness). Here a vicious circle arises for those who are looking for work: if a woman (or man) with a child has not yet been able to find a job, her child will not be given a place in the hoikuen. And if you can’t leave your child with someone, then it’s impossible to work.

According to the Ministry of People's Welfare and Labor, as of April 1, 2014 (in Japan, the fiscal year begins on April 1), there were more than 21 thousand "waiting children" (taiki jidō) registered in the country who were denied admission to the sanctioned hoikuen. However, the "expecting children" category does not include all the babies whose parents wanted but were unable to obtain a place in a sanctioned hoikuen. For example, if a child goes to an unauthorized hoikuen, or the mother was forced to extend maternity leave, such children are removed from the “waiting” list. Therefore, it is assumed that the actual demand for sanctioned hoikuen is much greater than the official data. In the meantime, there is a fierce struggle for every free place.

The various factors that justify sending a child to hoikuen are scored, and the one with the highest points is put first in line. First of all, these points depend on the number of working days and working hours of both parents. If the child already goes to an unauthorized hoikuen, they are given extra points. If several applicants have the same number of points, preference is given to families with lower incomes. Of course, parents come up with all sorts of ways to score more points.

Kindergarten (幼稚園)

What exactly can a kindergarten in Japan offer?

In Japan, children attend kindergarten between the ages of 3 and 6 years. The Japanese Ministry of Education does not really monitor the issue of catering, and kindergartens set their own rules. In many kindergartens, parents are required to independently prepare set lunches for their children in boxes (Japanese: bento). The main ingredients of a bento are usually rice, fried eggs, sausages and several types of vegetables (less often fruits). Dairy products are usually not included in such lunches.

Kindergarten is exclusively for children from 3 years old to first grade.

The kindergarten is run by the Ministry of Education (MEXT) and aims to prepare children for grade one and beyond. This is achieved through academic programs, English language lessons, as well as music and physical education lessons according to the standards set by MEXT.

Yochien is less of a kindergarten and more of an educational institution where children are prepared for school.

In Japan, there are both private but government-approved, completely private, and public kindergartens, which are further classified as "approved" (認可 | ninka) and "unauthorized" (無認可 | muninka).

You might be wondering how the hell an “unauthorized” school can operate?

MEXT and MHLW set standards for kindergartens and nurseries. This includes student-teacher ratio, room size, lunch menu, and so on.

“Unauthorized” in this case could mean a school below state standards; a training model without any special problems; or simply a different lunch menu than the one set by local authorities. "International" kindergartens generally fall into the muninka category.

An unauthorized hoikuen may be located on the second to fifth floor of a small office building, cafe, or store. More than 20 children, ranging in age from 2 months to 3 years, play, eat and sleep in one large room separated by partitions. In good weather, children with teachers can walk in public parks. Not everyone has this opportunity. Conditions in a sanctioned hoikuen are much better: they are usually on the ground floor of a high-rise apartment building, provided with gyms and swimming pool areas, and each age group occupies a separate room.

This is the main difference between a nursery school and a kindergarten. So, let's take a look at kindergarten in Japan from the inside!

This section will look at "Japanese" private and public kindergartens, not international kindergartens.

Universities in Japan

Japanese universities also have their own hierarchy.

Several private Japanese universities occupy the highest level of prestige and popularity.

There are few of them, and these include, for example, universities such as Nihon, Waseda or Hokkaido Tokai University .

Graduates of these universities constitute the country's economic and political elite.

It is almost impossible to enter these universities without serious preparation and special recommendations.

A diploma from any of these universities provides a complete guarantee of successful employment, regardless of grades and sometimes even specialty.

A step below are several public universities that occupy the highest positions in Japanese university rankings. These include, for example, State. University of Yokohama or Tokyo Institute of Technology . The tuition fees at these universities are lower, but the competition is very high.

Next come the rest of the universities, which are established by local prefectures.

The tuition fee here is low and the competition is quite moderate.

Small private universities are considered the most “non-prestigious”

They are distinguished by high tuition fees and a diploma that is not highly valued when hiring.

The Japanese education system is one of the most well-structured and effective in Asia and throughout the world, and it is this system that ensures a high standard of living and economic growth in the country.

Kindergarten from the inside

A typical day in kindergarten starts around 9-10 am and ends around 2 or 3 pm. This short schedule makes it incredibly difficult for full-time working parents to balance work and child care. This is a very broad generalization, but it is expected that children have a grandmother or mother who works part-time.

Some kindergartens, along with preparing for school, offer "extracurricular" services (保育| hoiku), such as swimming, dancing, martial arts, English, etc. Be aware, spaces are limited and fill up very quickly.

According to the rules, for children under one year of age, there should be one teacher for a maximum of three children. From one to two years - one teacher for six children, from three to four - one teacher for 20 children and over four - one teacher for 30 children.

Thus, with a large number of children, a large number of teachers are needed. However, the salary of educators in Japan is considered very low (100,000 yen), so fewer and fewer people are entering this profession. As a result, low-quality specialists and hidden perverts begin to be hired as teachers, which, of course, negatively affects the quality of the services provided by the kindergarten.

Public kindergarten

• Managed by local administrative government
• 2-year program (for children from 4 years old)
• The average tuition fee is 223,364 yen per year.
• Children travel with their parents
• The curriculum is focused on the child's autonomy and independence

Private kindergarten

• Operated by educational institutions or social welfare corporations.
• 3-year program (for children from 3 years old)
• The average tuition fee is 527,916 yen per year.
• Children ride a school bus
• The curriculum is focused on education

1000 yen = 705 rubles.

Costs for hoikuen usually range from 15 to 30 thousand yen per month, depending on the age of the child (the older the child, the cheaper the kindergarten fee). Yotiens are either public (cheap) or private (more expensive). Tuition prices usually range from 25 to 60 thousand yen per month.

For being late, the fine is approximately the same: 400-500 yen per half hour (a delay of 1-5 minutes is already taken into account using the electronic key).

Japanese primary school teachers are accused of corrupting children. 16+

Family education

In Japan, it is not customary to send children to kindergartens too early, so family education plays a very important role there. Of course, over the last century, the way of life in the Land of the Rising Sun has changed a lot: modern Japanese women earn money for their family along with their husbands, travel, take care of themselves, and are interested in Western culture. However, the general principles of raising children in Japan remain the same as many years ago. The appearance of a child in a Japanese family means an increase in the social status of his parents. Therefore, the birth of children for the Japanese is a doubly joyful event and a new stage in the life of the whole family.

The Japanese system of raising children is called "Ikuji". This is a whole philosophical and pedagogical concept based on the following principles:

• Children need to be brought up, first of all, not with individualism, but with collectivism;
• The bond between mother and child is indestructible and sacred. According to the Japanese, neither the best kindergartens nor grandparents can replace a mother in the first years of a baby’s life. A woman who sent her child to kindergarten too early for the sake of a career will be condemned by society. The role of the father at this stage is not so great. Since Japanese people, especially men, spend so much time working, fathers usually spend only weekends with their children;
• Children should be taught not by words, but by example;
• It is necessary to teach the child to independently regulate his behavior, while simultaneously weakening parental control;
• Upbringing is more important than education. Certain scientific facts can always be gleaned from books or the Internet, but the skills of working together or building relationships with loved ones and the work team must be cultivated from childhood;
• In the first five years of a child’s life, nothing should be prohibited. It is believed that this is the only way a child can learn to independently explore the world. In addition, such permissiveness, according to the Japanese, allows the child to understand that in this family he is loved and accepted for who he is. In order to learn to live by the rules and comply with the demands of others, the child will have ten subsequent years (from 6 to 15). So far, Japanese parents are limited to only warning about the possible consequences of certain actions. When a child makes a mistake and gets into trouble, the mother apologizes to him, but immediately notices that by his behavior he hurt someone or made someone nervous.

To many foreigners, the last principle seems unclear and incorrect, however, in Japanese society it bears fruit. Firstly, the child begins to understand what consequences his actions entail. And, secondly, despite the apparent permissiveness, Japanese parents still have a serious lever of influence over the child: the threat of alienation. From an early age, the Japanese are instilled with a sense of attachment to their group and a desire to be no worse than others. Therefore, the slightest threat of becoming a laughing stock makes a Japanese child remember the norms of behavior. The centuries-old educational tradition allows Japanese parents: on the one hand, to give their child almost unlimited freedom, and on the other hand, to remain unshakable authorities for him. Japanese mothers never raise their voices at their children: the child himself begins to renounce bad actions when he sees that they upset or disappoint the mother.

Another important aspect of raising young children in Japan is gender division. Although the birth of a boy means double joy (it is the eldest son who will be the successor of the family and the heir of his father), the attitude towards sons in the Japanese family is more strict. Boys are taught from an early age to be responsible and disciplined; they engage in sports, martial arts and exact sciences. Girls are taught to run the house, and at the same time they are engaged in creativity.

Get into kindergarten

Just like nursery school, getting into a kindergarten in Japan can be challenging, especially if you have your eye on a prestigious private institution. And just like nurseries, kindergartens hold information sessions in October, accept applications in November, and publish results in December.

Family "interviews" or an individual interview with your child may be part of this process

Highly competitive schools may ask you to attend several information sessions and interviews.

These interviews consist of questions about your parenting style and family life. Questions for your child include: “What is your name? How old are you? What's your favorite color? "

Teachers may be curious to know if your child knows the Hiragana alphabet, knows the types of plants and animals, or if he can take care of himself.

There is an "informal" dress code for these events, which is one step above a funeral and a step down from the entry ceremony. Check out what parents (mostly moms) should wear!

Higher education in Japan

The higher education system in Japan is characterized by a strict hierarchy.

Universities are divided into the “university” sector and the “non-university” sector.

Only a complete university education is highly valued on the labor market .

Studying at other Japanese universities is considered less prestigious. 4 types of higher education institutions in the country :

1. vocational colleges;
2. technological institutes;
3. universities;
4. master's schools, where postgraduate training is carried out.

In colleges and technological institutes, training lasts 2-3 years: the level of education in these universities is not as high as in universities and is rather similar to the level of Russian technical schools.

At universities, after a 4-year course of study, the graduate is awarded a bachelor's degree.

Medical and economic education in Japan are the most prestigious and desirable for applicants.

What features does Canada's climate have: average annual air temperatures, weather on the coasts, in the central part and in the north of the country.

Read all about education in Singapore, the history of development and modern fundamentals of teaching here.

Why the London School of Business and Finance is so prestigious, find out about it at: https://inostudent.ru/obrazovanie/vysshie-shkoly/dejstvuyushhie-shkoly-politiki-i-biznesa-v-rossii-i-za-rubezhom.html .

Diapers, toilet training and kindergarten

If you're applying for a 3-year-old kindergarten (年少 | Nensho) class, you may be wondering whether your child needs to be toilet trained before he or she starts kindergarten in April.

Some daycare centers require that children be potty trained before their first day at the facility. In this case, once you are approved, you can begin potty training your child.

Don't forget to add extra pairs of pants to your child's spare outfit. If they come home with dirty clothes, send a new set the next day.

Every day you fill out a special book: recording the body temperature, what kind of chair the child has and his mood and put your personal stamp as a parent. You can also write messages to teachers there, if necessary.

Used diapers cannot be thrown away in the kindergarten; they must be taken home.

About school

At school, teachers rarely raise their voices, but they manage to maintain discipline in a completely unobtrusive manner. Instead of shouting, they use pictures to explain the rules of behavior to children. But they don’t write: “You must!” Instead, for example, they draw some kind of sparrow, which either opens its beak or closes it. And the meaning is this: when recess begins, we talk, and during the lesson we close our beaks. It seems like an ordinary picture, but it has a better effect on children than any threats or shouting. And it turns out that the children themselves love and observe discipline.

Russian mothers complain that Japanese education is superficial. Indeed, teachers do not provide comprehensive information on every topic. Their teaching system is reminiscent of lecture classes at a university: there are theses, there is a lecture, and then you study the subject on your own. It’s the same in Japanese schools: they believe that they provide the necessary minimum, and then you can take books and delve into a topic that interests you. When I, for example, studied at a Russian school, I dreamed of the kind of education that exists in Japan. If a Japanese person is hooked on something, he will carry this passion throughout his life. They even take their hobbies almost to the level of professionalism. And education is designed specifically for such people.

What your child needs for kindergarten in Japan: shopping list

Please check with your child's day care center for specifics before purchasing any of the following. They might have a rule against branded items or a request for a certain style of house shoes (like Velcro straps instead of slip-ons). All items are affiliated with Amazon Japan.

You'll need:

1. Cleaning wipes. You will be asked to send 1 to 5 zoukin (雑巾) and these will be used to clean your child's classroom.

2. Water Bottle (with Strap) This style of water bottle is very popular. I prefer them over those with a complicated latch or cup. I seem to have a lot of injuries related to full stainless steel bottles, so I would recommend holding off on larger bottles until your baby is older. Tip: The O-ring must be removed and cleaned daily!

3. Lunch box. I recommend that you avoid those that close with a stripe or are two-tiered. Instead, choose a bento box with pull tabs like this one. Just like a water bottle, the seal ring on the Bento box needs to be removed and cleaned daily! You won't believe how easily mold grows on it!

4. Set of cutlery. Depending on your child's age, the preschool may ask you to leave chopsticks at home.

5. Chopsticks

It's always a good idea to invest in a pair of practical chopsticks. Be sure to check with your child's daycare center before sending them to school.

6. Cup

Can be used for soup or brushing teeth after lunch. Choose something with a handle to make it easier for your child to hold.

7. Fabric breakfast mat.

It's essentially a plate holder that allows you to keep your child's dining table area tidy. Fabric ones are better than vinyl/slip resistant ones because they don't collect mildew as easily. (I'm telling you, I've seen a lot of moldy stuff over the years!)

8. Mini hand towels

Your child will use at least three of them every day. For their face and drying their hands after using the restroom, another in their lunch bag, and a third as a spare. Please note that some child care centers may require hand towels with a loop.

Sometimes they use a bath towel as a summer blanket (change once a week).

9. Bag with clasp

Your child will get his first taste of the life of a big child and responsibility for his things! The slip pockets are essentially a large cargo pocket that can hold a packet of facial tissues and a hand towel.

10. House shoes

Tip 1: Attach a rubber band or lace to a tiny loop on the back of the shoe so your child can pull it tight.

Tip 2: Take a large sticker, cut it evenly down the middle and attach the halves to the inside of your child's shoes. This way they will be less likely to confuse the left and right sides!

Children wear sneakers all year round and are barefoot indoors.

11. Set “5 fabric bags”

Let me explain this a little more. You may have heard this horror story: "My child's kindergarten wants us parents to literally make our own bags for our children!" Don't worry, Amazon Japan has your back. Just search for “入園 5点のセッ” (nyuu en go ten setto) and find a set of cloth bags that your child will love. (Just be sure to confirm the measurements your child requires at daycare.)

In case you're wondering, here's the role of each of these 5 bags:

1. For house shoes (rectangular)

2. For soup cup/toothbrush (mini drawstring bag).

3. For a bento box (medium-sized drawstring bag).

4. For spare clothes/PE clothes (large drawstring bag).

5. A matching bag, large enough to fit the above (large bag, also used for sending home children's crafts, etc.)

12. Name stamps and stickers

Do yourself a favor by purchasing a set of name stamps along with stickers. This way you can easily label all of your child's belongings. You will need to label EVERYTHING, so try to make your life easier!

When entering kindergarten, you must take off your shoes, then take your child to class, greet the teacher (“Good morning,” bow) and go put things in the room. All items brought into the garden must be marked with a stamp.

In the same room, a completed book is placed on a shelf (the teachers also write down the child’s temperature and how kindergarten went in kindergarten). In the bathroom, parents should hang a towel and leave a bag for dirty clothes. This is not very convenient, because this way you need to wash clothes almost every day.

13. Stamp set

Comes with 10 stamps in various sizes, your choice of blue, red or black ink pad, your choice of image stamp, white ink pad and storage box. (A picture stamp is useful for children who have not learned to recognize their name. Choose a symbol that they instantly recognize as their own.)

14. Name stickers

This is a set of 295 colorful name tags. They are SO useful for labeling utensils, textbooks, bento boxes, and even things like crayons and pencils! You can also customize them with a “character graphic” so your child can easily identify their items.

15. Name patches

These sleek patches are great for labeling large fabric items such as art robes, a tote bag, a house shoe bag, etc. This particular item is a set of 3 patches available with different symbols and your child's name can be written hiragana or romaji.

For quiet time you need to bring a thin mat (futon), a blanket for the futon and a blanket (bath towel), which are taken away on the weekend for washing and cleaning (in a special bag). With the exception of days when, for example, it is raining heavily, and it is inconvenient to carry (carry) the mattress.

A futon is a traditional Japanese mattress that is spread directly on the floor and then put away in a closet.

Cost of studying in Japan for citizens of other countries

The cost of education at universities in Japan depends on many factors. It will cost students the most to study at prestigious private universities in the country. In this type of educational institutions, annual fees can reach 5 million yen (about $44,000) per year.

State universities are much cheaper. Thus, a year of study at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tokyo will cost only 590,000 yen ($5,200). The lowest prices are in small provincial universities. But their graduates often have difficulty finding work.

Before entering university, most foreigners attend language schools. Tuition prices range from 400,000 to 950,000 yen ($3,900–$8,500) per year.

Scholarships for foreigners

To attract foreign students, the Japanese government has developed a special MEXT scholarship program. As part of it, foreigners studying at language schools and universities in Japan receive a monthly cash payment of 117,000 yen (about $1,000). The student is provided with a paid air ticket from the airport closest to his place of residence to Tokyo or another Japanese city. The scholarship is awarded for 5 years.

Private organizations also implement programs for foreigners studying at universities in Japan. For example, the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation pays competitively selected graduate and graduate students a monthly stipend of 150,000–200,000 yen ($1,300–$1,800).

A special scholarship is awarded to foreigners admitted to Nagoya University. When assigning it, the student’s academic success, extracurricular activities and financial situation are taken into account. This scholarship fully covers undergraduate tuition fees at the university. In addition, the student receives cash assistance of 500,000 yen (about $4,500).

Nagoya University is not one of the most prestigious in Japan, but willingly gives scholarships to international students

Internship programs

In Japan, there are many internship programs that students from universities in Russia and the CIS countries can participate in. The most famous of them is the program for the study of Japanese language and culture. Students from universities in the Russian Federation, Armenia and Turkmenistan studying at the faculties of Japanese studies can take it. The purpose of the internship is to improve your knowledge of the Japanese language. Within its framework, the student undergoes ten months of training at the best universities in Japan. Selection of program participants includes:

• questionnaire competition;
• Japanese language exam;
• interview.

Graduate students from Russian universities studying the humanities or social sciences can take part in the Japanese language program at the Kansai International Center. It is a four-month free course. The host provides accommodation and meals for students. Applications for participation in this program are submitted to Japanese diplomatic missions.

Since 2005, participants of the Presidential Management Training Program have been undergoing internships in Japan. It takes at least 8 days and includes a series of lectures, practical classes and a visit to the enterprise. Food and accommodation are paid for by the Japanese side. Applications are accepted by the Japan Center for the Development of Trade and Economic Relations.

Russian and Japanese students can become participants in an exchange program if a corresponding agreement has been concluded between universities

A uniform

Depending on the type of kindergarten (private or public), your child's kindergarten form may be simple or complex, or even non-existent.

The uniform of a government institution, as a rule, consists of a uniform hat, an apron or robe and a satchel or backpack.

When it comes to private schools, it's all about the uniform that will differentiate your child from the "other" kindergartens. In some cases we are talking about summer and winter uniforms with designated bags, shoes and even socks. (This is more in line with posh schools.) Some schools require uniforms to be worn every day; other schools only wear uniforms on certain days of the month.

Each school will have a different list of school supplies, but you can count on a renrakucho (communication pad) as the primary means of communication with your child's teacher.

You should write to your child's teacher (担任の先生 | tannin no sensei) daily so that teachers know what to expect when their students arrive.

For example, if one of the children has a slightly higher temperature than usual, the teacher will know to monitor him more closely.

You also need to enter your temperature, mood, how you slept at night and what time you plan to pick up your child.

About the teachers

Elementary school educators and teachers are children's friends. A child can climb onto his teacher’s shoulders and hang on his leg. The way he communicates with his peers is the same way he communicates with his teachers. If you look at this picture from the outside, you will think that they didn’t even try to raise these children. Russians living in Japan are outraged by this approach, since a child can kick an adult, hit him on the top of the head, and there will be no response to his actions. It's just that the Japanese don't consider it aggression. Teachers explain that this approach helps the child adapt more easily to kindergarten and get used to new people.

Photo: Gamy Wong via Compfight

However, frivolous behavior in children is forgiven up to a certain point. Rigidity in parenting appears three months before leaving school. Since December, Japanese teachers have become sharply strict. They believe that the child needs to be mentally prepared for the fact that he will be a first-grader who must respond to comments and fulfill the requests of teachers. Parents note that during this period children stop loving kindergartens. The way it is. And when parents ask what happened, the teachers say that this is a necessity and a tradition.

Three months before the end of kindergarten, teachers manage to turn the children into decent and disciplined children. But when the child goes to first grade, he returns to what it was like in kindergarten: in the first months everything is built on games and communication. So it’s not always clear why they teach this discipline in kindergarten if everything returns to normal at school. In Russia, the upbringing process occurs smoothly, and the child immediately understands what is required of him.

Kindergarten fees in Japan

As with day care, fees for public and private day care centers vary greatly. However, as of October 1, 2021, public kindergartens became “free.”

FYI: “Free” does not exempt you from paying application fees, bus fees, insurance, school meals, uniforms, books/supplies, and service fees!

From a Japan Times article published on December 28, 2021, a few days after the preschool subsidy program was approved:

Fees at all authorized preschools will be waived for children aged 3 to 5, while a monthly fee cap of ¥25,700 will be set for some private kindergartens.

For unauthorized [無認可] preschools, the subsidy limit will be set at ¥37,000 per month for children aged 3 to 5 years and ¥42,000 for children aged 2 years and younger. School meals are paid separately.

Schooling in Japan

Modern education in Japan forms the main goal of state pedagogy - to prepare a person to work effectively in a team.

The Japanese rarely change jobs, and if they get a job in a company, it is usually for life.

School and subsequent education are designed to teach the Japanese to be part of a group and be of social benefit.

In Japanese schools, everyone is equal, and there are no special programs for gifted and retarded children.

For individual training, there are auxiliary evening schools “juku” .

The academic year begins in April and is divided into 3 terms.

School education consists of 3 levels :

• primary school (6 classes);
• secondary school (3 grades);
• high school (3 grades).

The first two levels of school are compulsory for all children and are free. Although high school is paid, 95% of students enroll in it.

In primary school, general education subjects are taught, in secondary school they are supplemented by English and several other subjects chosen by the school administration.

In high school, students have the opportunity to choose several specialized subjects.

Most students attend extra classes (juku). Enrollment courses help students prepare for further education. After school, about 75% of students continue their studies.

Japanese education requires numerous examinations at the end of each term.

Transition from middle schools to high schools is carried out based on exam results. Successful students enter prestigious educational institutions and have the opportunity to enter universities.

The rest go to schools without any special career prospects, where they provide education with an emphasis on agricultural activities or home economics.

Some students after secondary school enter technological colleges, where they need to study for 5 years.

However, getting there is not so easy. Some technical schools are supervised by large companies , and graduates, upon completion of the last year, are immediately hired.

Secondary education in Japan is received in these educational institutions.

Anyway…

Those who have children attending private/unauthorized schools will need to visit their municipal office to obtain the relevant documents, including the parents' employment certificate (especially if applying for post-school hoiku).

Please note that in this case, “free daycare” actually means that you will be reimbursed for your daycare expenses. You will need to pay for your child's kindergarten fees in advance, THEN apply for reimbursement through your municipal office. This is a lot of paperwork, so do your research carefully and check with your local authorities for details.

Good luck to all kindergarten applicants for the 2021-2022 school year!

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About pedagogy

There is no educational methodology in Japanese kindergartens. There is an annual plan of events around which the life of the kindergarten revolves. If in Russian kindergartens, in addition to the teacher, there are teachers of music, art, and physical education, then in Japan all classes are taught by one person. This is, of course, bad, since he cannot be an expert in everything.

The teachers do not have serious pedagogical education. Any woman with a higher education goes to courses that teach first aid, music and several other subjects. Within six months she completes these courses and receives a certificate with which she can work as a teacher. It turns out that just a year ago she worked as an accountant, and in six months she may already find herself in kindergarten. Although there is no such training of specialists as in Russia, Japanese women really sincerely love children. Sometimes you see how the teacher communicates with the child, and you are touched: it would seem that they spent the whole day together, but she keeps asking him something and does not want to let go. The Japanese may not be educators by training, but they are definitely educators by their liking. Asians generally idolize children and treat them not as youngsters, but as their future. There is no shouting, no blaming. And if a remark is made to a child, it is so veiled that he himself will never understand that it is about him.

Photo: Shesamurai via Compfight

It was also strange for me that parents did not know until the last moment who the child’s teacher would be. There is no way to choose for yourself. Moreover, teachers are changed every year. They say that children must get used to different people and new requirements. But children experience these changes hard.

In kindergarten there is no goal to prepare a child for school, to increase the level of his knowledge and develop skills. But the teacher can approach the parents and say: “Your child does not know how to use chopsticks.” And they won't try to teach him, but they will puzzle you with this question. Japanese kindergarten is about communication. It doesn't mean any more activities. Therefore, parents must be ready to take on the child’s education themselves.

Children and parents

The main person in the life of a small child is the mother. In Japanese it is called “amae”, which means “to take care of”, “to pamper”, “to connect with the heart”. It is expressed in a feeling of mutual affection, sometimes even dependence.

In the maternity hospital, a piece of the umbilical cord is preserved, which is then dried and placed in a special wooden box, lavishly decorated with decor and engraving. It becomes a symbol of the connection between mother and child.

Japanese mothers walk with their newborns everywhere, tying them to their bodies with the help of special bandages and carriers. But even when the little one begins to walk on his own, his mother does not leave him a single step, always tries to entertain him, comes up with educational games, and shows everything by example.

The child, in turn, copies the behavior of family members, so all adults and older children try to be a role model.

In the popular book “Japan. How to Understand It" by Ikeno Osamu talks about an experiment with a toy pyramid, where mothers were given the opportunity to teach their children to play with it. If European mothers explained in words how to build a pyramid, then Japanese mothers first built it themselves so that the baby could see how it was done, and the second time they provided the child with a toy, helping with difficulties.

The role of “amae” can be played not only by the mother. In Japan, ties between close relatives are very strong, so the child becomes attached to his father, brothers, sisters, and grandparents.

Principles of Japanese education

Japanese education is different from Western education. Briefly speaking about its main principles, we can name:

• a call to respect the interests of others;
• calm;
• personal example;
• patience;
• endless Love;
• development of self-control in the pupil;
• understanding children's sensitivity;
• the desire to make the child a useful member of society;
• the emphasis is not on individuality, but on participation in the group.

In a Japanese team, everyone is equal. The desire for equalization also has the other side of the coin - a child who thinks differently from the crowd, is somehow different from others, is subject to bullying, bullying, and ridicule. This phenomenon even has a special name - “ijime”.

Boys and girls

The birth of a child is the main event in the life of a family. And although gender prejudices are a thing of the past, the birth of a boy becomes a doubly festive occasion, because he is the successor of the family.

Boys and girls study together, but family education depends on gender. Boys are treated more strictly; they are expected to be firm, able to withstand difficulties and solve problems. They are sent to the sections of martial arts, sports, programming, and mathematics.

When raising girls from an early age, much attention is paid to teaching housekeeping. They are taught to cook, wash, clean, iron, and create comfort in the home. As for additional activities, they are given concessions and they prefer to choose painting, music, and dance clubs for them.