Update on Japan Week
Konnichiwa!
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go…
These are the words our children are reciting this week! All the children are actively participating in Japan Week!
So far this week the children have learned about Japanese culture, food and language through various activities, including:
Making musubi and sushi handrolls
Trying seaweed (nori) and edamame
Enjoying Japanese snacks such as salad flavored Pretz, Pocky and o-senbei
Watching a demonstration of how to wear a kimono, tabe, geta, hair decorations
Using chopsticks
Making origami, paper fans, and washi paper bracelets
Counting 1-5 (ichi, ni, san, shi, go)
Learning to say: Konnichiwa (hello/greeting), Sensei (teacher), Arigato (thank you), Ohayogozaimasu (Good morning), Otsukaresamadeshita (Well done), Sayonara (Goodbye)
Tying furoshiki
Singing “head shoulders knees and toes” in Japanese
Reading various books including: Tokyo Friends (Tokyo no Tomodachi) and Sushi Rhyming
We have been impressed with how attentive and interested the children are and look forward to two more days of fun activities, which will include trying tofu, umeboshi, onigiri (Japanese rice balls), continuing to count 1-10 and learning new words. The children will also make age-appropriate cherry blossom trees!
Japan Week @ BLC
Beginnings Learning Center (BLC) is pleased to designate the week of April 4-8 as Japan Week. The objective of this event is to introduce the children of BLC to other cultures and the concept of giving to others in need. This effort was initiated by several parents at BLC who have ties to Japan. In partnership with the teachers, daily age-appropriate activities will be conducted in each classroom.
These parent-led sessions may include: trying Japanese food such as tofu, edamame, temaki and onigiri, reading children’s books about Japan, learning new words and counting in Japanese, making a cherry blossom tree, etc. The final schedule will be posted in each classroom and parents are encouraged to participate.
The goal of this event is to also make a monetary donation to the Red Cross to support relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
