The Yochien Life

So Elin began a new chapter in her life this spring. She started Japanese preschool. Or Yochien as they call it here. I have to say I couldn't be more excited.

5 hours a day.

5 days a week.

And she comes home exhausted.

It's utterly fabulous. Elin is learning so much. Already this week she started talking to me in Japanese. Not that I understood a word but it was adorable. She's made a new friend. Emma whom walks to school with her.  

They love putting on their uniforms every day and greeting the headmistress each morning.

Many Japanese preschools are far more structured than their American counterparts. Some, such as this one require uniforms. Here is a sample list of what I had to acquire for Elin upon starting Yochien:

• Three school issued gym suits
• Hot pink school hat (each class gets a color)
• Name tag & pick up group tag
• School issued backpack
• School issued shoe bag & spare bag
• 5 hand towels
• 5 hankies for her uniform pocket
• Toothbrush & cup
• Bag for toothbrush & cup
• Lunch bag & utensils 
• Bento box (container for the lunch I send with her on certain days)
• Lunch mat
• Lunch smock
• Indoor shoes
• Box of Kleenex
• Soap 
• Spare set of play clothes 
• Extra plastic bags for dirty clothes
• Water bottle with neck strap
• Box of art supplies

....and EVERYTHING has to have her name on it. Right down to the individual crayons in her art kit and her pull-ups.

And the older kids have even more stuff! They have a full winter uniform, a full summer uniform and a pianica, a special instrument they learn to play. All together parents are expected to toss in big bucks which was intimidating at first however after just one week of school and seeing just how excited Elin is to attend, it's completely worth it to me. She's academically challenged, her manners are improving and potty training is coming along. I'm excited to see how she continues to progress. It will be a tough task finding a school to compete with this at our next station! 

Matane,

Caitlyn