NFER’s Caroline Sharp and Gaby White were invited to share their work on transitions with Japanese researchers. Apparently, Japanese children find the move to school difficult and this affects their behaviour. The invitation resulted from a presentation Caroline and Gaby gave that included children’s views about their experiences of making the transition from the Foundation Stage to key stage 1. They travelled to Tokyo for a meeting with the researchers, made a presentation to postgraduate students at the University of Tokyo and then travelled to Hokkaido to take part in a seminar on transition in early childhood, as part of an annual research conference.
Transition to formal education in Japan is causing some concern. Japanese children attend nursery up to the age of three and then kindergarten from three to five. When they start school at six, children experience difficulties adjusting to the more formal environment and didactic teaching methods. Teachers say that children behave badly and are difficult to control.
The Japanese research team will have three years to investigate this issue. They were very interested to hear about NFER’s work and now plan to adopt a similar methodology, including the perspectives of children, parents, and staff working in kindergarten and school settings.
The Japanese researchers were wonderful hosts and arranged a trip to the oldest kindergarten in Japan, which uses a very child-centred approach, where teachers establish a learning environment and take the lead from children in developing and supporting play activities. Caroline and Gaby shared some interesting culinary experiences, including aloe vera flavoured yoghurt and potato and pumpkin ice cream.
Transition to formal education in Japan is causing some concern. Japanese children attend nursery up to the age of three and then kindergarten from three to five. When they start school at six, children experience difficulties adjusting to the more formal environment and didactic teaching methods. Teachers say that children behave badly and are difficult to control.
The Japanese research team will have three years to investigate this issue. They were very interested to hear about NFER’s work and now plan to adopt a similar methodology, including the perspectives of children, parents, and staff working in kindergarten and school settings.
The Japanese researchers were wonderful hosts and arranged a trip to the oldest kindergarten in Japan, which uses a very child-centred approach, where teachers establish a learning environment and take the lead from children in developing and supporting play activities. Caroline and Gaby shared some interesting culinary experiences, including aloe vera flavoured yoghurt and potato and pumpkin ice cream.
source: http://www.nfer.ac.uk
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