Top 5 things to do to help your child transition from a home environment to that of an International Preschool in Tokyo.
If you are looking out for admissions in an International Preschool in Tokyo, then you can take another step ahead and try these simple practices at home to help your child adapt to an international school environment.
Also, learn the stark differences between an Indian Public school and an International pre-school to give you a better understanding of the best practices and the curriculum.
These are tips you can put to practise to make sure your child is more ready to adapt to a new school environment and to decrease the anxiety levels when your child is attending her first day of school.
This is a very important step when you have a young child who will be starting her schooling journey. Taking your child on a campus tour for her prospective school before the first day of her academic year is quite crucial and can be an ice-breaker, both for the child and the faculty, in order to get to know each other.
Visiting your child’s classroom, familiarising her with the different activities that her school curriculum comprises, showing her all the landmarks like the soft play area, Montessori labs, virtual labs, auditorium, swimming pool, and other places where she will be spending her schooling hours will give her an idea of what is in store and reduce her anxiety to a large extent.
Ideally, you should request the class-teacher to spend a little time with your child during the campus tour and give her a brief introduction of your child, her likes, dislikes and her innate talents and interests.
This way, the teacher has a clearer idea of the child’s temperament and how best to make her first day an amicable and happy one.
International Preschools in Tokyo imbibe curriculums like the Montessori, which are world-renowned and known to have wonderful benefits during your child’s early developmental years.
Unlike other curriculums, the Montessori method of teaching is more self-initiated and student centric. The role of the teacher is to guide the child in the right direction and not forcibly imbibe preschool concepts like a typical preschool curriculum.
There are various tools, hands-on study materials, flash cards, number sticks, building tower blocks and a lot more that will help your child attain a solid foundation for her math and language skills.
The best thing to do is get your child accustomed to at least 2 to 3 Montessori tools beforehand and give them the space and time to explore and discover the concept by themselves.
This kind of independent learning before she begins school will give her the confidence to try out all the other activities inside her classroom.
The Montessori method of learning is unique and needs the child’s initiation to understand concepts better and the curriculum is designed to make her more independent and self-reliant.
Children learn through observation and often tend to mimic what their parents, guides and teachers do. They love the concept of role play and enjoy pretending to be adults who seem to do all the important work.
Therefore, it's best to make use of this opportunity and imbibe good qualities like discipline, cleanliness and tidiness in your child by encouraging her to help in your daily chores.
In a Montessori preschool environment, children are given the freedom to choose their own activities, explore and learn, and replace the tools and materials in their respective places. This instills discipline and respect towards the school environment.
To begin this process at home, your child may adapt to the classroom environment faster and will get more time to concentrate on discovering new tools and interesting concepts.
Most parents already know the importance of play in their child’s life but guiding your child to create a collaborative environment and to teach her the importance of inclusivity can be a wonderful way to start her schooling years.
A child who already knows that she can take the responsibility to get involved in a game or activity and also encourage other children to come and be a part of her space can induce qualities like leadership skills, problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
All these are real world qualities that can pave the way to a successful life in her later years. A Montessori classroom consists of three different classes and age groups.
Where the elder groups act as helpers and guide the younger children, the younger ones observe these qualities and learn to imbibe the same in themselves.
This is another important part that will help your child to a great extent during her first few classes. Most parents succumb to letting their late risers catch on sleep thinking that their school will start soon and they won't be able to sleep for a longer time.
This can work as a disadvantage as Montessori schools start as early as 8 AM and your child might fall asleep and remain groggy during the transition from home to school.
By setting a routine similar to that of the school’s, it can help your child adjust to the new timings and be more enthusiastic and excited when starting her school for the first time.
Now that we are aware of how to make your child’s beginning in a school a good one, let’s move on to comparing the curriculum that is taught in an International preschool, Tokyo and an Indian Public school.
Some of the best International schools follow world renowned curriculums that are tried and tested methods which are designed to develop key skills necessary in a child’s early years. The activities are based on concepts of early math foundation and language development.
The schools also enhance the curriculum by using their own ideas and approaches that will result in better educational outcomes.
The mission of some of the best international schools in Tokyo is to educate a child not just in the stream of academics but also in other developmental areas like Sports, Performing Arts, New age skills, Communication and many other co-curricular activities that might interest your child.
A comprehensive curriculum like this aids in a holistic development in your child and fulfils all the educational criteria that are needed to thrive in the current and future environment.
While the Indian Public schools follow state and central curriculums, they still lack a holistic and wholesome development approach compared to international schools.
Indian public schools also come short of facilities like state of the art classrooms and labs that are a very prominent part of international schools.
Curriculums like IB, IGCSE and International CBSE are quite challenging and schools make it a priority to provide children with the latest technology to aid in their research and learning process.
Math and Science labs, Montessori labs, virtual labs, smart classrooms with digital whiteboards and many other facilities are some of the key features of an International preschool, Tokyo.
These are some useful pointers to make the transition from home to preschool a much easier process. Going that extra mile and putting a little effort can enable a happier and more peaceful beginning, both for your child and you and for the teacher too.
How is Japanese Kindergarten curriculum unique?
How is Japanese Kindergarten curriculum unique?
How do International Montessori Schools in Tokyo spark a child’s creativity?
How do International Montessori Schools in Tokyo spark a child’s creativity?
GROSS FAMILY INCOME : Below 3,000,000 YEN to 12,000,000 YEN
If you are applying for the IB Diploma Programme currently or in the future in a school in Japan, you should definitely check these tips so that you choose your subjects wisely.
If you are applying for the IB Diploma Programme currently or in the future in a school in Japan, you should definitely check these tips so that you choose your subjects wisely.
Early Childhood Education is the process of teaching and learning for children from birth to the age of 7.
Early Childhood Education is the process of teaching and learning for children from birth to the age of 7.
As a parent you must always want what is the absolute best for your kid and education is one of those decisions of their lives that that you will have to take on behalf of them.
As a parent you must always want what is the absolute best for your kid and education is one of those decisions of their lives that that you will have to take on behalf of them.
When students are in a secondary school, they are very close to creating and following their path to having a better career.
When students are in a secondary school, they are very close to creating and following their path to having a better career.
Helping your children acquire organizational skills might seem like a hefty task, but there are plenty.
Helping your children acquire organizational skills might seem like a hefty task, but there are plenty.
Ms Ranjana, a highly accomplished French teacher, joined the GIIS East Coast Campus after moving from Australia. She has been teaching French, English and EAL for more than 20 years and graduated from Monash University, Australia. As a polyglot, she shares her passion for languages with her students. She helps them understand how our experiences influence our communication.