Figure 1.--Here Kindergarteners in 2009 visit a Shinto shrine in Tsunishi during November. You can see the different approaches as to uniforms at the different schools. |
|
Japanese children as in most countries begin mandatory primary school at age 6 with the first grade. Most Japanese children attend pre-school before entering primary school. Kindergardens are widely available in Japan, but are not compulsory. Japan has noth nursery schools (day care centers) and kindergardens. The day-care centers (hoikuen) will accomodate very young children and are play oriented. The kindergardens (yochien) are for somewhat older children and more academically oriented. There are both public and private day-care centers and kindergardens. Approximately 60 percent of all kindergartens are privately operated. There are fees associated with the public schools, depending on the family income. The educational programs vary considerably, from unstructured environments that emphasize play to more provide programs with a more academic environment. Hoikuen (day care centers) are designed for working parents. The program lasts all day and most provide lunch. Parents are not expected to be heavily involved. The kindergardens (yochien) are different, There is an expected degree of parental involvement. The day is shoter, usually ending about 4:00 pm. At first they were mostly 3 day programs. In recent years the kindergardens have been extending their hours. This is in part to better compete with day care centers which offer longer hours.
This is important to parents, especially when both parents work. Many parents as soon as their child is old enough choose yochien to better prepare fir the academic challenge of entering primary school. The Japanese educational system is highly competitive. Japanese kids typically have 2 years of (voluntary) kindergarten before they start (mandatory) first grade. These two years are called KG-1 (for 4 year olds) and KG-2 (for 5 year olds). Most Japanese parents sent their children to pre-school. And by the kindergarden age it rises to 80-90 percent of the children. The number of kindergardens has been declining, both because of competition with day care centers and Japan's falling birthrate. Many stay at home mothers send their children to kindergardens. Working mothers are more likely to use day care centers. School orograms vary at these pre-schools. Some have uniforms which are also quite varied.
Japanese children as in most countries begin mandatory primary school at age 6 with the first grade. Most Japanese children attend pre-school before entering primary school. Kindergardens are widely available in Japan, but are not compulsory. Most Japanese parents send their children to pre-school. And by the kindergarden age it rises to 80-90 percent of the children. The number of kindergardens has been declining, both because of competition with day care centers and Japan's falling birthrate. Many stay at home mothers send their children to kindergardens. Working mothers are more likely to use day care centers. School varies at these pre-schools.
Japan has two types of pre-schools, both nursery schools (day care centers) and kindergardens. The day-care centers (hoikuen) will accomodate very young children and are play oriented. The kindergardens (yochien) are for somewhat older children and more academically oriented. There are both public and private day-care centers and kindergardens. Even the public preschools require parents to pay a fee, but it is relatitively modest and graduated based on family income. Approximately 60 percent of all kindergartens are privately operated. There are fees associated with the public schools, depending on the family income. The educational programs vary considerably, from unstructured environments that emphasize play to more provide programs with a more academic environment. Hoikuen (day care centers) are designed for working parents. The program lasts all day and most provide lunch. Parents are not expected to be heavily involved. The kindergardens (yochien) are different, There is an expected degree of parental involvement. The day is shoter, usually ending about 4:00 pm. At first they were mostly 3 day programs. In recent years the kindergardens have been extending their hours. This is in part to better compete with day care centers which offer longer hours.
This is important to parents, especially when both parents work. Many parents as soon as their child is old enough choose yochien to better prepare for the academic challenge of entering primary school. The Japanese educational system is highly competitive.
Japanese kids typically have 2 years of (voluntary) kindergarten before they start (mandatory) first grade. These two years are called KG-1 (for 4 year olds) and KG-2 (for 5 year olds). Parents meaning the mother are expected to becomne involved in the program at school as well as work with the children at home on numbers and reading preparation. The programs are designed to prepare the children for primary school. As a result of the Kindergardens, most Japanese children begin school with some basic reading acapabiliy. We are not entirely sure how teachers conternd with the fact that sone of the first year primary children have not had kindergarden preparation.
Some of the preschools have uniforms which are quite varied. Some are like primary uniforms. Others are desinctive. Some allow the children to rear their oen clothes, but with a smock or pinafore.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main Chronology Page]
[The 1900s]
[The 1910s]
[The 1920s]
[The 1930s]
Navigate the Relate Boys Historical Clothing Style Pages
[Main country page]
[Long pants suits]
[Short pants suits]
[Lederhosen]
[Kneesocks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer
[School sandals]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing School Uniform Pages
[Return to the Main Japanese school level page]
[Return to the Main School Uniform Page]
[Return to the Main school uniform country page]
[Australia]
[England]
[France]
[Germany]
[Ireland]
[Italy]
[Japan]
[New Zealand]
[Scotland]
[United States]
Navigate the HBC School Section:
[Return to the Main Japanese school type page]
[About Us]
[Activities]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Debate]
[Economics]
[Garment]
[Gender]
[Hair]
[History]
[Home trends]
[Literary characters]
[School types]
[Significance]
[Transport and travel
[Uniform regulations]
[Year level]
[Other topics]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Return to the Historic Boys' School Home]
