Yesterday was Kaiya's first day at Kamoi Yochien. Kamoi is the neighborhood we live in and Yochien is kindergarten in Japanese. I'm not exactly sure how the system works, but I know the Japanese don't have "preschools", they consider 3-5 year olds as being in kindergarten; however, they separate by age. So Kaiya is with three year olds right now. The school year in Japan is from April to March (she's starting right smack in the middle). She'll transfer into the four year old class in April. The school is five days a week from 9 am-2:30pm. Kaiya only attends on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I know that in an English speaking preschool, she would be able to handle those hours five days a week, but since this is a Japanese speaking school, I didn't want to overwhelm her. Plus, I still want to spend time with her, so we use Monday and Wednesday for swim lessons, story time, or taking a field trip.
First off, at this school (and like all or most schools in Japan) she was required to wear a uniform. For three year olds, it's a smock. Then they are required to have specific bags for certain things-a text book bag, a inside shoe bag, a extra clothes bag, lunch bag, a cup bag, etc. All bags are required to be a certain size--and the majority of these bags you make (but you can buy it). I bought the lunch and cup bag and with the help of my friend, Heather made the other three bags. Kaiya wanted a Stitch theme (which is perfect for her personality, being a destructive little thing!), so that's the fabric I bought for her. We used Heather's sewing machine, but I eventually bought one myself. We (Heather and I) want to start making our girls dresses-I'm actually very excited about sewing. Anyway, as you noticed in the pictures she was required to have a cup, tupperware, and utensil set for lunch. They don't do lunch boxes, but use that bag I showed you. They also have a handkerchief. I know that they are very environmentally sound with regards to garbage, so I think they use this approach to avoid throwing anything away. So items in plastic, baggies with food, or juice boxes are out of the question, as well as paper napkins. I don't care, I think it's great instead of wasting so much plastic.
You will also notice her emergency gear that is fire retardant. All the students are required to have it in case of an emergency. Since living here, we been through five earthquakes, two typhoons, and one tropical storm (we've only been here for three months). Things happen here and I'm happy that the school is well prepared by having an emergency plan in place and teaches the kids to be safe. Even with all these natural disasters that occur in Japan, I feel A LOT safer here than in the US, especially with the recent events of child kidnappings, murder and rape. I can't even explain how different it is here, other than I don't worry about Kaiya the way I did back in the states.
As for her day at school. I didn't receive any phone calls and when I picked her up she ran up to me with a smile. Then raced back to the playground (so I knew she was fine). I spoke with her sensei (teacher) for about 10 minutes. Sensei Kuwahara was explaining to me how Kaiya's day went--this was achieved by speaking in Japanese, sprinkled with sporadic English words, and a lot of pantomiming. I finally figured out that she was very active, imitated the other children (followed their lead), and wet her pants. She on occasion will have accidents if she's highly involved in something she doesn't want to miss--so she'll just wet herself. I don't think it was due to a language barrier, as I've instructed her to say "toilet" to her sensei if she has to go--they use toilet too and would understand her.
I'm not so worried about Kaiya being immersed in a Japanese school. My goal is that she learns the language (myself included), and I teach her at home in English (writing, reading, etc). By the time we come home to the US, she should be proficient at a five year old level in Japanese and be well prepared to attend an English Kindergarten.
Well, you are probably wondering how I communicate with the staff at the Yochien. I am very diligent about learning the language and prepare notes in Japanese, so I can tell them what I need. For example, they offer daycare and on Tuesdays I need to pick her up at 3:30 pm. I was able to explain (using words vice a sentence) and they understood. I need to learn the word for emergency, sick, and come pick up Kaiya--in preparation for if I receive a phone call to pick up Kaiya I will understand. Eventually, it will be easier and will just take time. For now, I have a greater sense of admiration for anyone who chooses to live in another country and not know the language and are trying to learn.
