Youchien

Hello!

After many hours of research and discussion, we decided that we would enroll Jackson in a public Japanese pre-school (youchien) for school this year. The school year in Japan runs year-round from the beginning of April through the middle of March, so he's only been attending for a few months now. Jacob didn't meet the three year old age requirement since he turned three in June, but Jackson was able to get into the four year old class. We chose to send him to the Japanese school because it is rare to have a chance to become bilingual at a young age. We couldn't pass it up. Youchien is an immersion experience with native speakers that we can't create ourselves. Joe and I have learned that details are extremely important in Japanese. For example, the word ame (ah-may). When the word is pronounced AH-may, it means rain. But when it is pronounced ah-MAY, it means candy. My problem is that even when I think I am saying something correctly, I'm not, because my pronunciation is incorrect (native English-speaking people's usually is). The point is, I would be a terrible Japanese teacher for my children! Many Japanese people send their children to international schools to learn English, so this is the same concept. Youchien is our international school! We also wanted Jackson to learn about Japanese customs and traditions. He is spending a few years of his childhood here, so why not? From what I have read, even if he forgets the Japanese later, his brain is becoming wired for language and it will be easier to pick it back up or even a completely different language later in life.

A lot of people have said, "why would you do that to your kid" or "how difficult it must be for him". Trust me, it is difficult for him and me as well. For about the first month in a half he didn't speak at all at youchien. No Japanese, no English. I have read and heard from other parents and educators that this is very normal. Hearing and comprehension come first, then speaking. But I was a bit concerned for Jackson's self esteem. I would ask him, "did you talk to friends today?" And he would say, "well, they speak Japanese and I speak English." Then I would say, "well your friends will teach you Japanese and you will teach them English, won't that be cool?!" Jackson loves being helpful and always wants a "job" (like Daddy), so he liked that idea. Every day on the way to school, I still say, "Jackson, what are your two jobs at youchien today?" He says, "To have fun and to talk!" You got it, buddy. You are so brave and I am so proud of you.

There were many days in the beginning that I had trouble leaving him. I knew it must be difficult to be in a situation where he didn't understand much of what was happening. One thing that gave me peace of mind though is that there is at least one woman in the office who is fluent in English and also Jackson's sensei (teacher) knows a bit of English. Also, everyone is so kind there. The teachers, the parents, the children are all so very kind. They go out of their way on a daily basis to make sure Jackson is ok and that I know what is going on too. The English-speaking moms interpret classroom notes and documents that come home and they make sure I know what I need to pack for Jackson on a daily basis. I truly am forever in the debt of these wonderful people.

One day, near the end of May, I was early to pick up Jackson. Another mom with a daughter in Jackson's class was also waiting. She is a wonderful Japanese woman who speaks Spanish and some English so between the three languages, we can usually communicate (it's so much fun trying to figure it out in the meantime)! She told me that she walked by youchien that morning and saw all the kids playing outside, but that Jackson was playing by himself. My heart broke a little thinking of my Jackson Boy with no friends to play with because he can't talk to them (I mean, it reminded me a little of myself at times here). I started crying and after giving me a hug, she put her hand on her heart and said, "I know".  Moms get it. Then she gave not only me a gift, but gave me one for Jackson as well. She also said that she will teach her daughter to say, "let's play" so Jackson would have a friend. Like I said, the kindness people show here is beyond amazing.

School gets out for a six-week summer vacation beginning this Friday (which is why I am trying to get caught up on my blog before we go home to South Dakota and Colorado for almost six weeks!), but I think you'll be happy to know that Jackson has a ton of friends at youchien now. He knows all of their names, he talks about them all the time at home, he always wants them to come over to our house, and will say konnichiwa to them when he sees them out and about in the neighborhood. It makes me so happy to see his smile when he's playing and interacting with friends at school. Two or three weeks into June, his teacher said to me, "Jackson spoke to me in perfect Nihongo (Japanese) today". I was elated and I can see Jackson's self-confidence and pride growing. She tells me very often now of the new things he's saying. At home, I get to listen to him singing Japanese songs for hours these days. It's really, really cool.

I've had a few friends ask me, "But how does he know what to do? How is he able to learn Japanese?" Totally valid questions! The example that I use is, the children are all standing up and the teacher says, "suwatte kudasai". All the children sit down except for Jackson. He sees that everyone has sat down so he sits down too. The next time she says it, the same thing happens. Maybe the next time and the next time and even the next time. But sooner or later, Jackson will understand that suwatte kudasai must mean "sit down, please". That's how we all learn English, right? Only we do it when we are infants and we don't have the cognition to think that deeply about it, haha!

We aren't going to be in Japan forever, so the boys need to be prepared for school in English in the US. When it's time for kindergarten we will send the boys to an international school. But, we would like it if they can retain their Japanese when we move back. We will try to use it at home as much as possible (which won't be too terribly much, I'm afraid) and seek out Japanese-speaking classes and friends! Luckily Joe works for a Japanese company!

Jackson's first day of youchien.
That is Jackson's uniform complete with hat that he is wearing.
It is very customary for the parents to dress up in navy blue,
the mother in pearls and father in a suit, for the first day.
It is also customary to take a picture by the door to your house
and also by the entrance of the school (see below).

Jackson and Daddy

Jackson and me

Picture at the entrance of youchien

Another picture at youchien

Jackson meeting his classmates at the first-day ceremony

Jackson at a celebratory lunch with me after his first day

Thank you so much for reading about our adventures in Japan. I love you.

XOL