Kindergarten teaching and assessment in Japan

[qooloob]

Hi all,

I need information about teaching strategies and ways of assessment that Japanese use in their kindergarten classroom. I heard that they have good basics of it and i want to know about it.
Could any one have an idea about tell me please?

Thank You

[gfell]

There is no set "Japanese" way of teaching kindergarten kids, nor is there a "set" method of assessment. It will depend on the school. What one kindergarten does in Japan may just aswell be similar to what another kindergarten does in Taiwan or another country.

If you need teaching strategies for kindergarten classes, then check the http://www.aacircle.com.au/forums/teacher-training/ where you will find lesson plans for children and toddlers.

[qooloob]

i want to know about kinds of assessment teachers use in classroom in japan i mean the ways that they follow it by ministry of education

[gfell]

There is no guideline or assessment structure for kindergarten classes in Japan set by the Ministry of Education. Kindergarten is not compulsory education in Japan.

Compulsory education in Japan is for Elementary School 1~6 and Junior High School 1~3. That is, 9 years of education is compulsory and free in Japan.

Pre-school and kindergarten is not part of the compulsory system. There are guidelines set in place however which state:

• Kindergarten education should be provided with an emphasis on environment child development. That is personality and people skills.
• Teacher materials are designed with the above point in mind.
• Establishing an environment to encourage good behaviour in children.
• Education based on play. Eg: Children and teachers would sit in circles to play with building blocks and so on.
• Learning about dangerous behaviour and safety.
• Tidying up one's own environment.
• Learning good manners.
• Enjoy kindergarten life. Learn the satisfaction of doing things by themselves.

As you can see, the above goals set by the Ministry of Education is quite straight forward and similar to most nations.

[boydie]

As Gfell said
the preschools here leave it largely up to the schools however there are recommended books which are basically checklists arrnaged around the "norm" for a particular age
What I have found frustrating as an EC teacher is that exceptionally gifted children are ignored and slow learners are dragged along
No such thing as the Ausssie style of programming to the individual
The best schools take an assessment approach that uses a blend of Western and Eastern teachings. One such kindergarten is Maebashi International Kindy in Gunma Ken which was based on the Immersion method as innitiated by Katoh Gakuen (Mike Bostwick. ) I am sure either school would welcome your enquiries