Japan is the country that came up with some of the most successful world class management methodologies like Kaizen, the 3Ms of Lean, Gemba, etc. The whole world uses these tools and methods to bring success to their organisations. Apart from this, Japan is also known to be a country that values honesty and integrity in all its endeavours and this has led to many impactful initiatives and rules inside the country which are a great asset to its citizens and the people who live and work here.
Education is another vital part of the Japanese culture and the high quality of academics is reflected in its schools and institutions. At grass root levels, a Japanese kindergarten is designed to impart all the valuable virtues the country believes in and this is of great advantage to little children who get a chance to instil these values in themselves.
Different levels of Japanese kindergarten
The kindergarten in Indian Public Schools comprises 3 years of foundational education where children learn important social skills and etiquettes and basic numeracy and literacy skills. The Japanese kindergarten curriculum is provided to children of ages 2.5 years and above. This is also known as Nursery school. The next level of kindergarten is the Junior KG/K1 which educates children of ages 3.5 years and above. The final stage of the kindergarten is the KG2/K2 that educates children of ages 4.5 years and above.
Indian public schools in Japan with unique Japanese kindergarten curricula
International Indian Public schools in Japan have consistently worked their curriculum to provide education that is holistic in nature, containing all the values that the Japanese believe in. Indian Public schools also have their unique frameworks which are researched and built to develop a student’s all round personality.
How are these frameworks different from other schools?
Indian Public schools have designed their Japanese kindergarten curriculum keeping in mind the five important pillars in education. These are based on providing an effective foundation to help children with their language, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. It also holds strong emphasis in teaching age appropriate numeric skills which are activity based and conducted in labs and smart classrooms. The Indian Public schools follow the Montessori curriculum along with their own pedagogical frameworks which help children gain understanding in a much quicker and effective way.
Key Values of a Japanese kindergarten curriculum
Indian Public schools aim to impart key values of honesty, kindness and compassion in their students and involve them in activities that show them the importance of their environment and its conservation. These are done by green initiatives and charity programs to help them understand their society in a broader sense.
A multi-faceted platform for learning and teaching
These Japanese Kindergarten curricula are designed to concentrate on the innate strengths of a child and provide them the much needed boost to develop their personalities and individual positive traits. Expert teachers and facilitators act as guides and help these really young students increase their cognitive abilities and their age appropriate logical reasoning skills.
Physical fitness and Play
The curriculum doesn’t just concentrate on core academics but also other crucial areas like physical and mental development. These are imparted through a holistic curriculum where children take part in extracurricular activities that help in their spatial awareness and their critical thinking skills. These activities also improve a child’s self-confidence and give them a platform to mix with different sets of cultures in an international school.
Emphasis on modern day education and the role of technology inside a classroom
With such advanced technological innovations in the education industry, these schools have adapted to the latest methods of teaching and are actively imbibing the same in their students too. With virtual labs and smart classrooms, children learn to be future ready and hone their capabilities to meet the challenges of the new century.
Robust holistic curriculum
There are innumerable advantages of holistic education and happiness is one of them. A child with a healthy mind and body is a happy child and this reflects in the enthusiasm children show inside these classrooms. While learning, children need a lot of positive stimulants in order to keep their concentration on their lessons. Innovative methods and virtual learning have created a platform where children actively participate and learn their concepts with ease and interest.
Apart from this, a child’s characteristic traits are developed in a holistic international school environment where they blend with other students who are of different nationalities. This leads to exposure to different cultures and brings in a good amount of diversity in the lives of these children.
Parent engagement
A school that practices open communication with parents is the one you should trust. After all, it’s your little child in question and you might have many anxieties and apprehensions when they attend their first school. A responsible school understands this aspect and involves parents actively in the journey of a child’s kindergarten years. This kind of open door policy keeps your mind at rest and also helps keep you updated in every step of advancement of your child’s education
Also Read: What Qualities We Should Look into a Montessori School?
Seamless transition to primary school
The biggest advantage of a Japanese kindergarten curriculum in an Indian Public school is the ease of transition into higher classes. The reason this is even possible is because kindergarten children are given a strong basic understanding of academic concepts and the children are ready to venture ahead with more complex academic curricula.
These are some of the important features of a Japanese curriculum in Indian Public Schools in Japan. Having understood the benefits of a holistic curriculum like this, parents should proactively do more research and find the right school which doesn’t just increase a child’s intellectual ability but also works on emotional and physical developmental aspects. To be a responsible citizen of the 21st century, these are very basic skills that should be imparted to every child.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Japanese kindergarten called?
In Japan, kindergarten is called “yochien.” Kids who are 3 to 5 years old at the beginning of the year attend. The school year starts on April 2nd and ends in mid-March. So, if you’re born on April 1st, you’re the youngest, and if you’re born on April 2nd, you’re the oldest. Typically, children start yochien when they’re 3 years old.
