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One week left
April 09, 2008
I had planned to send Mia to an American preschool starting in September, but the Japanese school year starts in April and this week all of her friends are starting. Mia has been asking to go to school for MONTHS now and it's been even harder to explain to her these last few days why she doesn't get to go yet. In the past she has asked where one of her friends is and I say she's at her school. Mia will always say in a sad voice, "I wish I could go to school." Today, when I told her we were going to go look at her new school she was ecstatic. She said, "Yay let's find my new school! And then Tatum will ask where is Mia? And her Mommy will say Mia's at her school!"
I've also been having a lot more conversations with my friends whose kids have been in Japanese schools for a while now as well as a Japanese friend whose perspective includes her own experiences as a child growing up in Tokyo and as a mother of a three year girl who has been going for a year already. The idea has grown on me. Total immersion will likely help her learn Japanese quickly and being exposed to the cultural differences will be good for her. She'll be in the two year old class for another couple months where she'll get used to the routines of school. There is a list of things they should bring to school each day, like indoor shoes, a box containing a fork, spoon, and chopsticks, a placemat, thermos of water, towels with a loop to hang on their own personal little hooks... each child is expected to clean up after herself. That can't be a bad skill to cultivate! Being a montessori school, they let the kids choose the activity and try to find a lesson within their play. There seemed to be a good mix of structure with the very specific daily routines and flexibility in letting each child pursue their individual interests and move at their own pace.
Now for the big surprise:
Who would have thought that of all people, I would choose a catholic school? I didn't actually know it was affiliated with a church until I got there today. I really like everything I'd heard about it, so despite the fact that I am sending Mia to the nuns, I think it's a good fit. They did mention that she'll probably learn some Catholic Japanese prayers, so that should be interesting!
So there's one week left before the big girl starts school. I was excited about the idea of getting her into a school that she could start sooner. But now that it's (almost) a done deal, it's a little sad that this big step is coming up so quickly! I think I might miss her. They weren't kidding when they coined the phrase, "They grow up so fast."
Posted by Kimberly at April 9, 2008 10:54 PM
Comments
That is so exciting! being immersed is the best thing Kim! Great decision! I guess soon enough, Axel will speak to Mia in French and Mia will respond to him in Japanese!!!!
Posted by: Tatie Ninie at April 10, 2008 03:05 AM
Grandma is so proud of you Mia. I know you will do fantastic in school. Hugs & Kisses Grandma
Posted by: Grandma at April 10, 2008 06:57 AM