Hi, I recently heard that children as young as 3yo start cram school to be competitive in sought after elementaries.
Im afraid of putting too much pressure on my children but the more sought after elementaries do look nice (like Seinan Gakuin Elementary, which requires an entrance exam) so maybe if I understand what a juku is like for babies maybe it can make sense?
What do babies even do inside a cram school?
What does an entrance exam for a competitive elementary look like?
What are the hours of a cram school like if they finish hoikuen / youchien around 3pm?
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Mate... Your best bet is to build up a curious, well rounded and happy kid.
I'll never understand people who come to Reddit seemingly before automatically defaulting to this lol...
Of course.
I looked into this shit when my kids were little and I came to the conclusion it is mostly a club for bored rich people lol. For most private elementary schools, half of the "entrance exam" is actually the parent interview to gauge YOUR social standing, including your educational background, your job, etc.
We just sent our kids to the local elementary and then private for JHS/SHS.
I had a feeling it might be something like that
This!
Good lord. I teach at an international kindergarten here in Japan. We usually see cram school starting at 5-6 years old in the last year before elementary. Otherwise outside schooling tends to be in the form of support classes, sports, swimming, ballet, or music classes.
I feel like 3 year old is too early for Cram school. Already some children end up getting stressed and lashing out when they get into cram school later. Any earlier and I feel like the cons will outweigh the benefits. What kind of school do they go to now?
They give no opportunity/time for kids to be kids while they are actively a kid.
It's insane.
Cram school for ELEMENTARY is fundamentally insane. It's elementary. Any weight/pressure on an elementary kid and the school they go to is purely performative for the parent and other surrounding adults egos etc.
Maybe around high school age when your school does sort of matter depending on the programs and connections that school has for college and beyond.
I judge anyone who tries to put any sort of status pressure on literal 3 year olds/elementary kids.
Right I feel the same too but that's why I want to understand what is it? Just play time but more attention to manners? Is it just sports?
I think it depends on the cram school. Some children focus more on English ability, or Japanese Ability. Sometimes different subjects the child is perceived as weak in.
But again while we see kids passing tests and stuff, they get stressed and overstimulated. During exam season we see lots of meltdowns. You need to weigh this carefully with your individual child's needs.
How are they at their current school? Are there any areas you are worried about in concerns to development? And remember- you can always talk to your homeroom teachers if you want their perspectives too! Communication is key.
For elementary cram school it is subject heavy. My Elementary School students can get tired from it. And already are complaining about workloads.
But a lot of times at this age ESPECIALLY at age 3- children should focus more on social and emotional development. A good foundation with social and emotional development will really help them in the long term. Especially in elementary school. These areas are also often looked at by private elementary schools but can be missed by parents who focus more on academics.
Also learning by play. Children pick up an incredible amount just via play and communication. Spending time with your child, communicating, playing games, cooking together- they all contribute into ways that will benefit academics in the long run.
Thank you for the insight. We're just starting on this education consideration journey.
Our initial thought was "just let them love their lives, we don't want them to fall into the trap of striving for the best schools so they can get the best job" but we're trying to see is there a happy medium or is it an all or nothing.
Like the elementary looks nice, but you also need prerequisites. When they're in for example, we aren't thinking of having them do juku in elementary because it seems like too much. But I imagine that means for high school that also means there options are more limited which we'd have to be okay with.
It's all very complicated and a lot to consider.
Lots to consider coming from different culture and mindset.
We want them to be kids first and foremost and pursue their curiosity.
Oh for sure! And honestly a lot of parents (even native Japanese parents) share the same concerns. I am sure being in a different country and different culture adds to the anxieties.
At the age the world is vast and so are the possibilities! And at age 3 everything is starting out. I encourage you to coordinate with the school you have your child attending and ask about future education paths and their thoughts too! They know your child as well and esp once you get to the last year of kindergarten at our school a lot of parents book conferences and talks to discuss their child's future. So its normal.
Your instincts are correct. Remember they absorb so much right now at this age- one of the reasons why I love my field of work. Enjoy it!
Focus on “Social and emotional development” in Japan…ermmmmmm….I would say Japan fails at these two super hard so I doubt there’s any better place for that than home.
I think the odds that you screw up your kid for life are at least at good as the odds that you give him/her a head start in life.
Fair point
Juku is over-rated. No cram school ever for our two daughters, who went to hoikuen from 0 to when they started primary (and during the last year there was some attention to what might come next in school, but they basically just played a lot). They did primary, middle and both tested into one of the better high schools, both chose rikei/理系. Neither one did any juku during all that--not a single day.
Older one missed first try and did a year of live-in juku (sundai), then made it in (applied chem). Younger one made it in first try, bio sciences (both into good nat'l uni).
My two cents, ymmv.
Not an expert but I have heard that when they do those juku, they focus on refining children’s manners.. the bowing and greeting politely Japanese style. Teaching them following instructions through origami and the step by step Japanese way of art for kids (not focused on creativity, rather following instructions again). Children who go to those prestigious cram school for children attempt to go to top tier elementary schools. Parents participation in the lessons are sometimes required too.
I've heard the same.
Also, early-age juku + testing into elementary at an escalator school means less juku or no juku for middle/high school because it's easier to just continue at that school. Saves some time/headache in the future. Not saying that it is always the best for the child...
I'm not sure how many of the other people commenting in this thread are actually parents.
In any case, I am putting my child into the system, but I'm sure most foreign parents would disagree.
I consider it a necessary evil so they can start school at same age as I did when I was a kid.
You can do the exam at grade 1 as well, but it is more competitive and the barrier to entry is higher than in kindergarten. if you want to get into a private school system, it is infinitely easier to get your foot in the door sooner rather than later.
I once worked an eikaiwa gig that had a little juku for private kindergarten exams nextdoor. Apparently if you can get into a private kindy it's easier to conveyor belt on up to the private elementary and then ultimately the private university of the same name. Very prestigious.
Anyway, I could often overhear from next door that the babies were learning to sing loudly in hard unison lol accompanied by a real live piano. That part always sounded like fun lol. They also had to learn to look their teachers in the face and say in a loud clear voice + nice bow the greetings for beginning and ending class and for saying hello and goodbye.
I heard from a teacher who transferred from there that they also learn to properly use/put away their things--water bottle, shoes, jacket, hat, etc. And then they practice what is in the "interview" portion of these kindergarten exams, which seems to be mainly can the kid answer questions like what's your name (basic) how old are you (intermediate) or what did you have for breakfast today (very difficult indeed for some babies lol)
The school had a high success rate iirc like 95% of customers got into their preferred school. So look into that if you're looking to choose one.
Some escalator type schools no longer do interviews, but many do and it's mostly cookie cutter for the kids. Most of the interview fall on knowing about the parents more than about the kids.
It seems parents who put their kids through these ojyuken programs before 5 years old make them do it without daycare, so they can focus like it's a full time bootcamp. It does not ever seem like an afterthought for them, like an extra curricular for fun and just see what happens.
I don't know if it still holds true - the exam can be about pure vocabulary, math, solving puzzles on paper or using physical materials like building blocks. Some may involve PE exams? I think if it's for 3 year olds they need to speak some full sentences and be able to point out shapes and colors...kind of like they have kindergarten level knowledge at age 3 instead of 5.
my daughter did 2 kumon classes (3.5 years old). It consisted of the proper way to hold the pencil, draw, and name animals / letters / numbers. My daughter had fun, but she had more fun doing swimming, dancing, karate etc. so we never went back. I think from elementary school or a bit older is better for this kind of thing. We are trying to get our kid to try as many activities as she can by elementary school so she can pick up some hobbies. She is latched on swimming so we do that weekly now. Personally, I don't give a shit if my kid's school is "good" or not, but if she wants to go to that kind of school I'll try to make it happen. I just don't want her in a terrible school really.
Often times kids are sent to early schools at a young age to reserve a spot in the next version of the school for when they are at the age appropreate.
An example, kid goes to X preschool and they then have a lower qualification standard to enter X's kindergarten program (and then elementry program and etc).
Cram school at a young age can be similar. And the kids at this age are less in a study focused theme and more in behavior through activity based activities (coloring, crafts, origami, etc).
Cram schools are not needed.
Spend time with your kid, educate them. Help them grow up normal.
Cram school and other pressures are just breeding grounds for mental health disorders.
I used to work at an Eikaiwa and it had a sister company in the same building that was basically a cram school for very young kids. From what I saw it was mostly group classes on various subjects. The kids who completed the programme could escalator into so called 'good' private schools.
Entrance Exam depends school to school, but if your kid can do one of those big activity books for 5-7 year olds by themselves they're probably on the right track for selective schools. I've also heard of some schools wanting Eiken 5 but that might be the more international end of things.
Hours depend on the school, but the one I worked near seemed mostly busy in the afternoon.
I can see the argument that getting on the escalator early can save trouble later, but I'd argue that you're probably better off not locking into a particular eco-system while your kid is tiny. At 3 you're probably better taking your kid to a range of activity clubs and seeing if they like any of it. There's plenty of chances to choose at the JHS, SHS and University level.