Points to Know Before Entering Japanese Kindergarten

Daily Schedule in Japanese Kindergartens

The daily routine in Japanese kindergartens may vary slightly depending on the school, but the basic schedule generally follows these steps:

Arrival (7:30–8:15)
- This is the arrival time when parents bring their children to school. The children greet their teachers and friends.
- They also organize their belongings and fold their uniforms.
Morning Assembly (8:30–9:00)
- During the morning assembly, children sing songs and discuss the weather, the days of the week, and the seasons.
- The day's schedule and the helper of the day are introduced, and sometimes they do exercises together.
Free Play & Organized Activities (9:00–11:30)
- This period includes both free play and organized activities.
  - Free Play: Children enjoy various activities in the playground or classroom, such as sandbox play, slides, reading, and building with blocks.
  - Organized Activities: Teachers lead activities based on themes or goals, such as art, crafts, exercise, music, and rhythm games.
Afternoon Assembly (11:30–12:00)
- During the afternoon assembly, children reflect on the day, listen to messages from their teachers, and sometimes enjoy a story reading.
- They share their experiences of the day's activities and look forward to the next day.
Departure (12:00–12:10)
- Children who are not in after-school care leave before lunch.
- Parents come to pick up their children, who say goodbye to their teachers and friends before leaving the kindergarten.
Lunch (12:00–13:00)
- Children in after-school care have a packed lunch from home or a school-provided lunch(Kyushoku). Before eating, they wash their hands.
- Emphasis is placed on learning manners and gratitude during meals.
- The children prepare Kyoshoku on a rotating schedule as part of their responsibilities.
After-School Care (13:00–18:00)

Children who use after-school care spend time in a homelike atmosphere, engaging in indoor and outdoor play while waiting for their parents to pick them up.
At 3:00 PM, they have a snack.

In Japanese kindergartens, seasonal events and community activities are actively incorporated, allowing children to experience the changing seasons, connect with nature, and develop social skills. Physical development, discipline, and establishing daily routines are also key focus areas.

Expectations in Japanese Kindergartens and the Situation for Non-Japanese Children

In Japanese public kindergartens, there is a general tendency to give instructions verbally. Children are expected to listen, understand, think for themselves, and take action accordingly. This can be challenging for children whose first language is not Japanese as they start kindergarten surrounded by unfamiliar language. They often manage by imitating what other children do, but there are cases where the day ends without full understanding. Even if they ask questions, there may only sometimes be teachers available who understand their language. Since most teachers only speak Japanese, when a problem arises, they often have to guess what happened. This can make it difficult for non-Japanese children, who may experience feelings of being misunderstood by teachers or classmates.

Skills Needed When Entering Japanese Kindergarten

These skills develop gradually and can be perfected after entering kindergarten. Teachers offer gentle support in kindergarten, providing children opportunities to learn and grow.

Basic Life Skills
- Toilet Training: Using the restroom independently can help children feel more comfortable in kindergarten. Learning the location of the restroom and communicating the need to go are also important.
- Handwashing and Gargling: Building a habit of washing hands before meals and after returning indoors is essential.
- Tidying Up: Practicing organizing one's belongings and returning items to their original places is beneficial.
Self-Care Skills
- Dressing: Skills like taking off jackets and changing shoes are helpful.
- Eating: It is also essential to learn to eat with chopsticks or to sit properly during meals. Training with child-friendly chopsticks at home can be helpful.
Basic Communication Skills
- Greetings: Saying "Good morning" or "Goodbye" to teachers and friends is encouraged.
- Expressing Needs: Communicating simple needs (such as wanting to go to the restroom or feeling hungry) helps teachers understand each child's situation.
Understanding Rules in Group Settings
- Waiting and Taking Turns: Practicing waiting and taking turns when playing with friends and following rules is helpful.
- Sense of Sharing: Learning to distinguish between personal and shared belongings and understanding the concept of sharing helps in group life.
Basic Physical Skills
- Physical Stamina: Children are often engaged in indoor and outdoor active play, so basic stamina is beneficial.
- Playing with Balls and Jumping Rope: While specialized training isn't necessary, playing various movement-based games helps expand children's physical activity range.
Social Skills and Emotional Control
- Self-Regulation: Practicing ways to calm down after crying or upset can help children adjust to kindergarten life.
- Playing with Friends: Following rules and considering others' feelings in play helps children adapt to group life more smoothly.

Preparing for a Smooth Start to Kindergarten Life

Over time, non-Japanese children will gradually learn Japanese, though it may take time to speak it comfortably. Learning Japanese at home or in language classes is crucial, as time spent at kindergarten alone may not be enough to acquire language skills. Improving Japanese ability builds confidence in children. Also, learning some content before elementary school helps make the transition smoother when entering primary school.