Chisato ShizumeSpring is the beginning of a new school year in Japan. Traditionally in the beginning of April, small children wearing jackets and ties or dresses for a ceremony on the first day in elementary school. However, schools across the nation are closed this year due to the spread of COVID-19. As such, many children are spending most of their time at home during the self-quarantine period.
A lot of parents have anxiety about school closure and its impact on their children’s education, while children may be feeling distressed and anxious about the unexpected situation. But there could be a bright side of the pandemic for children’s education in Japan; the increasing momentum towards implementing online-learning options and improving remote learning resources. Raising a child’s adaptability to different learning environments becomes key. In fact, it is more crucial than ever since its difficult to predict when the end pandemic will end.
Additionally, the spread of coronavirus has uncovered the vulnerabilities of the conventional education system (and work style too in that sense). This also means the acceleration of online-learning is likely even after COVID-19. Some children have less experience using computers to learn, but fortunately, children can adapt to change relatively easily with a little help. The quarantine period is a great opportunity for children to explore online learning resources, as well as to raise internet literacy with a guardian’s supervision.
Here are some useful websites and apps for children to enjoy during quarantine. Some of them are free and open to public for a limited time only, so take advantage of these services and spare time to spend with children, and let them learn through play and experience.
Online special event by JACST (Japan Association of Communication for Science and Technology) during school closures
JACST released a website containing various contents related to science such as special live streaming classes; animations and manga that explains science for a wide range of age groups; interviews to read; lots of craft ideas from origami and making slime to building a telescope out of paper; tons of videos on science simple to complex. There are English contents for non-Japanese speakers to enjoy too.
Explore the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo in VR
This museum is one of the biggest science museums in Japan, offering a wide range of natural history exhibitions and scientific exploration from space and dinosaurs to advanced research on technologies. Occasionally during the Golden Week periods and Summer vacation, the museum is flooded with both children and grown-ups enjoying nature and science exhibits. The museum has released VR to explore the whole museum during the quarantine for anybody to enjoy. Take as much time as you like to observe your favorite fossils, stuffed animals and scientific instruments.
National Museum of Nature and Science VR
Set up a virtual playdate for children
By using Face Time (on Apple devices) or a videoconferencing app like Zoom, children can talk with friends online to keep in touch during school closure. A lot of young children depend on their parents to make contact with friends if they don’t own computers or mobile devices. Chatting with friends will reduce stress and sure to put a smile back on the child’s face. Skype’s ‘Meet Now’ feature allows videoconferencing too, if you hesitate to use Zoom for security reasons.
Of course, a family reunion is easy to hold without consuming any time or cost for gathering. Also, the advantage of meeting up with friends or family members is that it is a great opportunity to get used to making communications over the internet, which may become very common in online classes.
Free exercises, craft and workout ideas, cooking recipes for kids on ‘Tanosheet’ by The Asahi Shimbun Company
Tanosheet is a website full of ideas for children to enjoy. Originally, it offered ideas for after-school programs to keep children busy without screen time, but many of the fun activities can also be done at home during quarantine. There are math, kanji and hiragana worksheets to print for free; puzzles and games using figures and numbers; wordplay such as shiritori; creative craft ideas; workout ideas for kids that can be done at home; easy recipes for children to try cooking.
