REPOST: Can education change Japan's 'depressed' generation?

Honing one's intellect, creativity, and mental capacity should start at a young age. In Japan, where virtually every batch of graduates (on a national scale) has a moniker corresponding their achievements or future role in the society, being knowledgeable in many learning areas is a resounding must. Read the following report about the education system in the country for more details.

Every lesson at Japanese schools starts with a simultaneous bow. "Let's try that again because your posture wasn't good," says a teacher to a room full of six and seven year-olds.

She then reminds the children to have their pencil boxes, notepads and textbooks on top of each other and placed at the left corner of their desks. The students obey without a single word of objection.

A few hours later, they queue quietly before being served their lunch.

Towards the end of their education this conformist attitude is still evident. Each year, more than half a million university students start looking for work together.

The first step is to perfect a handwritten resume, or CV, because many in Japan believe that students' characteristics and personalities can be judged by the way they write.

All dressed in a black "recruit suit", they then visit hundreds of companies. Bold hues of black, navy or dark grey are the recommended colours for their job-hunting suits.

Stripes are not encouraged. According to the teachers and career counsellors, it is considered risky to be fashionable.

'Withdrawn' generation

The job-hunting season is a huge part of Japanese life and has even influenced the nicknames given to different generations.


Jobseeker Yoko Sato says she has no desire to work abroad |
Image source: BBC

In Japan, there is no Generation X, Y or Z.

Born in 1981, I belong to the "employment ice age" generation when university graduates struggled to find work because of the state of the economy. It is believed to have resulted in the highest number of "withdrawn" or "hikikomori" who refuse to leave their rooms after feeling rejected by the society.

The generation before us was much luckier and is known as the "bubble" generation, because the Japanese economy was at its peak as they entered workforce.

There are stark differences between those who witnessed Japan's booming economy and today's youth.

There are a number of nicknames for them: the "relaxed" generation is most commonly used because they were educated under a revised system aimed at freeing children from cramming, or intensive learning.

The "enlightened" generation is another, and it implies that they had only known Japan in its economic decline and had learned not to expect anything, including wealth or even sex.


Government adviser William Saito says parents want their children to get good jobs in stable Japanese companies | Image source: BBC

Their low self-esteem and unhappiness are obvious in the government's annual survey of the country's youth, aged between 13 and 29. Less than half of those surveyed (45.8%) said they were happy with themselves, compared to 86% in the US, 83.1% in the UK, or 71.5% in South Korea.

Depressed youths

Nearly 80% of Japanese youth felt depressed in the week of the survey, which is more than double compared to Germany. One third of them don't think they'll be happy when they are 40.

It is also a generation that is known not to take a risk.

For example, the number of youths studying overseas has fallen by nearly 30% between 2004 and 2012 (from 82,945 to 60,138). That's according to data collected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.


While traditional Japanese nail salons are expanding successfully abroad, many workers are happy at home | Image source: BBC

"I studied English at school but I have no desire to study it further to be able to work abroad," says Yoko Sato, whom I met at a recruitment forum in Tokyo. "If I get a job with a Japanese company, that'll be much more stable."

It is an attitude that comes from the parents, says William Saito, who advises the government.

"Parents are mortally afraid of their children falling off what's known in Japan as the escalator, because of what they have gone through.

"So if you don't go lock-step with your peers in finding a job and getting a promotion, they feel that they'll be left behind and that the disparity will increase," he adds.

Even after they get a job, more than half of new recruits at Japanese companies say they don't want to be deployed abroad, according to the Japan Management Association.

St. Bruno Catholic School provides after-school programs that teach students about becoming a well-rounded individual. Visit its official website for the list of curricula it offers.

REPOST: Make 2015 a year of learning – ten simple tips for parents of young children

The new year could be a fresh start for parents to encourage learning and set high but reasonable expectations for their children. The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood offers the following tips for cultivating love of learning in children: 

1. In the morning, encourage your child to dress himself as much as possible. While it may be easier (and quicker) for you to put those shoes on, your child will learn valuable self-help skills that build his capacity to persevere when tasks are challenging.

Image Source: childrcloth.net

2. While traveling to child care, play children’s music in your car and sing along! Your child can expand her vocabulary and other language skills needed to become a successful reader and writer.

3. When you have to wait, pull a book from your bag and read to your child. Waiting in line or for an appointment can be frustrating even for adults. By always being prepared for waiting, you can help your child stay calm and love books at the same time.

Image Source: mindmatter.net.au

4. While you are outside, notice and label what you and your child see. Children learn to “read” familiar signs, such as stop and railroad signs, and begin to understand that letters are symbols for something. Younger children learn about the world around them when you say the names of various birds, animals, people and objects you see.

5. When you go to the store, prepare your child for what you will buy and not buy. Discussing that you are at the store to buy milk for dinner (and not candy) reduces the struggles that can occur in the check-out line and helps your child manage his own behavior.

6. While making dinner, invite your child to join you in the kitchen instead of watching TV or playing electronic games. Talk about the orange color of the carrots. Count out the silverware at each place. Watch the water boil for the pasta (from a safe distance).

Image Source: womansday.com

7. Eat dinner together at a table, and talk about your day. Ask your child questions that helps her think critically, such as, “What did you like best about your day?” Beginning to compare and contrast are skills your child will need for math and science.

8. Include children in household chores, such as sorting laundry and picking up toys. Make these chores enjoyable by playing music, counting and matching socks and toys, and doing chores together.

9. Establish bedtime routines, such as bathing, cuddling, and reading a book. Young children learn how to manage their emotions and get along with others when they feel safe and secure in their routines.

10. Get plenty of rest! You are better able to see the learning opportunities in every day when you are well rested, eating well, and exercising. Remember that you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of your child.

Catherine Carvalho is the principal of St. Bruno Catholic School, a kindergarten and primary school fully accredited by the the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Catholic Education Association. For more learning tips, follow this Twitter account.

REPOST: Screens and kids: 3 tips for parents

TV programs, video games, and various mobile apps have immense effect on children’s health and behavior. Lancaster Online offers the following tips to help parents provide a healthy screen time for their children:  

Image Source: lancasteronline.com

Alex Rugg and Lathan Axe play a math review game in the first grade classroom at Hambright Elementary School. In Penn Manor School District, each elementary class has a set of six laptops for student use.

Parents have worried about the effects of TV and video games on their children's health and behavior for decades. With the rise of mobile phones and tablets, those worries have become even more pervasive. Here are three tips for how much and what kind of screen time to allow.
 
1. Set expectations

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen use for children under 2. For older children, it recommends limiting entertainment screen time to under two hours per day.

Parents also should set expectations for how digital devices will be used, says Christina Simonds, Head of Lower School at Lancaster Country Day School.

"Would you hand a 16-year-old keys to a car and say, 'Have at it'? That's what parents do with phones and iPads, without any training or conversation about safety or rules of the road."
The AAP also advises parents to keep screens out of kids' bedrooms.

2. Monitor content

Among young children, exposure to content meant for older ages is associated with negative effects on the development of language, thinking and decision-making skills, according to Zero to Three, a national nonprofit focused on early childhood development.

It can be hard to identify worthwhile content, though. Some screen media have been proven to be beneficial for older children, but not everything that's marketed as educational is supported by research, according to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.
Simonds suggests parents observe their children's interaction with games and apps, as well as their behavior afterward.

"If you're not seeing negative behaviors from them, then it's probably OK," she says.

3. Watch and play together

Whenever possible, parents should make screen time interactive, according to Zero to Three. That means playing games and apps with a child to model cooperation and persistence.
It also means making connections between the screen and the real world. For instance, after viewing a show about animals, a parent and child can go for a walk or visit a zoo and talk about the animals they see.

St. Bruno Catholic School partners with its students’ families in creating an educational environment that strengthens the spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and psychological abilities of each child. For more discussions on the importance of parent involvement in children’s learning, subscribe to this blog.

REPOST: 6 Back-to-School Tips for Healthier Kids

A recent report by Coalition for Healthier Schools revealed that children are at risk of health and learning problems in school because of the many unhealthy food choices and toxic chemicals surrounding them. The Epoch Times provides the following tips to help parents create a healthy school environment for their children:  

School environments are not necessarily the healthiest places for children. Talk to your school community about ways to reduce toxins.

 Image Source: theepochtimes.com

It all happens so quickly. One minute you’re dropping the kids off at day camp and the next you’re sitting in an aisle of your local drugstore, staring at the shiny new binders, No. 2 pencils, and superhero-themed backpacks.

Whether it’s your child’s first day of kindergarten or your child is entering the sixth grade, it’s important for parents to consider the health implications that plague the school environment.

From school lunch to art supplies to industrial cleaning products, the place your child goes to learn is fraught with health hazards and toxic chemical exposures that could present harm during a crucial stage of development.

According to a recent report published by the nationwide Coalition for Healthier Schools titled “Towards Healthy Schools 2015,” “All school children should be considered at elevated risk of health and learning difficulties due solely to the unexamined risks in their school.”

What’s a concerned parent to do? For starters, parents can make safer choices that exercise their purchasing power and become active participants in advocating for change at the school level.

Here are a few simple things parents can do to create a healthy environment for children this back-to-school season:

1. Say No to Antibacterial Hand Sanitizers. Many of the cheap antibacterial hand sanitizers found at the supermarket—and highly marketed during back-to-school time at the checkout counter—contain triclosan, a chemical linked to hormone disruption and cancer.

Studies show that antibacterial products are no more effective than washing with soap and water, so skip them altogether. It’s also good to talk to the school faculty and request that they eliminate the use of conventional antibacterial products on school grounds for the same reason.

2. Raise Questions About Cleaning Products. Roughly 25 percent of the chemicals found in school cleaning products have been linked to cancer, asthma, rashes, and learning disabilities.

While awareness is growing around greener and safer alternatives, start the conversation by asking what cleaning products are used in the school or day-care setting. Regardless of the regulations or municipal laws that govern your child’s school district, parents can encourage the use of green cleaning products that are third-party certified as safe and healthy.

3. Encourage Safety During Art Time. Markers, felt pens, watercolor paints, and clays often contain and release heavy-duty environmental toxins such as phthalates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, and artificial dyes.

Since art time is key to a child’s learning process, parents should talk to teachers this back-to-school season about taking extra precaution while art supplies are in use. These include putting away all foods and beverages, opening a window, requiring kids to wear a smock, and making sure they wash their hands before turning to the next lesson.

4. Join a School Lunch Committee. By joining a school lunch committee or group, parents can be a powerful force in school lunch reform. Start by joining your child for lunch so you can get well-acquainted with the current school lunch and snack options, cafeteria layout, restraints, and kitchen workers.

Work with other parents and school faculty members who care about healthy food alternatives to brainstorm innovative options such as salad bar grants, vending machines, and school garden programs.
If you lack the time to get more involved, educate yourself on packing healthier and safer school lunch options.

5. Purchase PVC-Free School Supplies. In a 2012 investigation, the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) found that 80 percent of kids’ back-to-school supplies contained phthalates—chemicals that have been banned in children’s toys for links to asthma, birth defects, and hormone disruption.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a major source of phthalates. Purchase PVC-free school supplies made of safer materials to protect your little one’s health. Visit chej.org to download the Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies.

6. Promote Healthy Air Circulation. Because toxic chemicals become concentrated in closed environments like classrooms, ask teachers to open a window. It’s the simplest and most affordable action the faculty can take to create a safer, healthier classroom.

If done on a regular basis, opening a window for even five minutes a day can help improve poor air quality due to the common use of industrial cleaners, air fresheners, and combustion devices.

St. Bruno Catholic School is committed to fostering learning and the Christian faith among its students. Know more about its academic programs and school community on this Facebook page.

St. Bruno Catholic School Offers the Right Education for Your Children

If you live in the Los Angeles area, particularly around the central part of the San Gabriel Valley, and you are seeking a nearby, quality Catholic education for your children who are not yet teens, you have few choices. St. Bruno Catholic School is selected by the parents of over 300 children seeking an excellent Catholic and academic education. The school was founded about 60 years ago by the Sisters of Mercy of Burlingame. Named after the founder of the Carthusian order, the school is affiliated with a parish of about 2900 families.

Image Source: flickr.com

Students and families appreciate the fact that St. Bruno Catholic School produces well-trained graduates, who understand their role as Catholics and who have the opportunity to participate on accomplished sports teams. The flag football team won the Big 10 conference recently as did the varsity basketball team. Alumnus Matt Carillo played football at Old Dominion University and his brother Tyler played at St. Paul High School.

Image Source: saintbrunoschool.com

Students at the school have won academic accolades, as well. The Academic Decathlon team won three medals recently. Alumna Audrey Wills was a 2012 National Merit Scholar and winner of a $10,000 Nordstrom scholarship.

 School alumni attend a number of Catholic high schools including St. Joseph High School, Don Bosco Technical Institute High School, Cornelia Connelly, Servite High School, Rosary High School, Loyola High School, St. John Bosco High School, St. Paul High School, and Bishop Amat High School. Graduates also succeed at local public high schools.

Image Source: stbrunoschool.com

One reason for student success is the involvement and support by parents. Students see their parents at sports events, fundraising activities, and at home while doing homework. The students know that their parents are making a financial sacrifice for their children’s future and feel a responsibility to perform well.

 St. Bruno Catholic School is an excellent choice for your children.

Equity in education: Creating balance between school and extracurricular activities

When your children are in their formative years, acquiring skills and experiences outside the classroom is just as essential to learning as are English, math, and science. Here are some guidelines for helping your kids balance schoolwork and after-school activities.

 

Image Source: osceolachristianprep.com

 School is top priority

Make sure your child understands that although nurturing passions and honing talents are extremely valuable, schoolwork should always be first on his or her to-do list.

Choose the after-school activity together with your child. Take your child’s interest level and academic schedule into consideration, and only sign up with centers, studios, or leagues whose schedules aren’t in conflict with your kid’s school hours and routines.

Image Source: confirmbiosciences.com

 Provide ample support

Once your child commits to soccer practice or modern jazz class thrice a week, make the most out of the experience by providing them with the all the requirements they’ll be needing and ensuring their regular, punctual attendance to practice, classes, games, and recitals.

Expose your child to role models by taking them to professional soccer games for example, or to a ballet, to inspire them to keep practicing and performing at their best. Encourage friendships from within their chosen activity so they have peers with which they can relate to and from which they can learn even further.  

Image Source: indianapublicmedia.org

Evaluate activities regularly

When academics start suffering because of too much time spent on practice or dance class, enforce solutions to help your child budget time more efficiently. If exams are coming up, for example, tapering practice to once weekly in exchange for more study time might be useful.

Led by principal Catherine Carvalho, St. Bruno Catholic School offers after-school programs and extracurricular activities that intuitively complement the holistic learning it provides to its students. More information on the institution and its faith-centered curriculum is available here.

St. Bruno Catholic School Offers a Well-Rounded Catholic Education

School is all about learning.  If you are going to pay tuition to send your child to a private school, you want to know that you are getting a return on that investment.  Is your child learning proper academics to advance to a quality, higher level school?  If not, you should wonder if your money could be better spent somewhere else.  Perhaps you are sending your kid to a private school so she can get a good religious education in addition to the academics.  For example, maybe you want your child to attend a Catholic school so she is as educated in Catholicism as she is in math, science, English and history.  If this is the case, and you live in Los Angeles County, it would be worth your while to investigate St. Bruno Catholic School.

 

Image Source: coag.gov.au

The school has demonstrated competency in assuring both secular and Catholic education of your children. This year, St. Bruno Catholic School brought home three medals in the 2014 Los Angeles Archdiocese Academic Decathlon.  About 100 Catholic schools competed in this event for grades 6 to 8.  Students were tested on science, Roman Catholic doctrine, fine arts, English, math, current events, literature and social studies.  In addition, there were team events that tested critical thinking skills.  

 

Image Source: careerabroad.ca

The school also excels at competitive sports.  The varsity basketball team won the Big 10 championship this year.  Even if he does not compete in competitive team sports, your child will receive a physical education experience through regular classes.   He also gets music class and instruction on computer use.  St. Bruno Catholic School is equipped with state of the art computer equipment, too.

 

Image Source: jankishikshansanstha.com

Alumni of the school move on to other Catholic schools and to public schools.  Your child will receive a wholesome, well-rounded Catholic education at St. Bruno.