Excuse Me... Do You Offer Parenting Classes?

Have you ever had the sort of moment that makes you want to check the mirror, just to be sure this is you and your life?  This entire trip has left me feeling that way.  I can't believe that I'm actually standing in Japan and getting to experience the beauty of the countryside and the generosity of the people.

Today began with my favorite activity so far:  visiting an elementary.  We observed several classrooms, including two calligraphy classes where the students practice writing kanji. (There are something like 50,000 different kanji symbols, and about 1,500 of those are used in everyday life - as opposed to the 26 letters in our alphabet.)  

Students practice writing kanji.

After two class periods, the students have a twenty minute break - during which they have almost absolute freedom.  They can go to any of the playground areas outside, which is encouraged, or they can roam the hallways inside.  Today, many students stayed inside and followed us around.  Any time we entered a room, the doorways were blocked with students hoping for a high-five.  We had our own entourage!  

Konnichiwa!

In all the chaos of today's twenty minute break at school, there were no fights, no broken windows, no tattling - and no teachers monitoring.   Children are taught respect for rules, and the students follow them.  Here's a good example outside the school walls: Alcohol is sold in vending machines at many stores.  No IDs are checked and no adults monitor the machines - Children/teens simply do not buy it.

The Japanese definitely have a sense of "the whole is more important than the individual".  The teachers, parents, and community are all viewed equally important in the students' education.  For example, yesterday at a museum, a little boy kept (literally) running into us.  Our guide firmly grabbed the little boy by the arm, scolded him, and then smiled and patted him on the head.  The boy didn't seem surprised that a complete stranger stopped him, just ashamed he hadn't paid attention.  The community - including complete strangers - works together to ensure that children are raised to be valuable members of society.  

When we've spoken with the principals and even the mayor, they all seemed eager to learn about the American educational system.  I'm thinking I'd like to learn more about the Japanese way of doing things.  Let's start with "Parenting 101"...

Tonight, we went to a traditional Japanese restaurant, where
we had to sit on the floor - and check our shoes with an
attendant at the door!  We placed our shoes in a little
compartment, closed the door, and took the little wooden
block with us.  The wooden block served as a key when
we returned for our shoes.  So cool!

Katherine+Chopsticks=Success!
I finally learned how to use chopsticks,
thanks to our friend Koichi-san.