A wonderful way to flex your empathy muscles is to learn more about daily life on other continents. It can be fascinating to see how similarly another culture handles a universal human experience as well as notice any differences between countries. In every corner of the globe, young children need care while their guardians are at work. A Japanese daycare, or "hoikuen," resembles an American day care in some ways while also boasting a few unique features.
A hoikjuen serves students from birth to six years old.
One notable difference is apparent before the children even enter the building, which is being dropped off by bicycle. The dense population in Japanese cities such as Tokyo makes personal vehicles cumbersome. Before proceeding further into the building, students outdoor shoes for indoor slippers. This custom is actually common in most buildings in Japan.
Every student brings a personal childcare diary, or "ikkuji nikki." These notebooks are a way for parents and teachers to correspond on a daily basis and provide regular updates about the child. At lunchtime, meals are served to the youngest students by the teachers. All meals are designed by a nutritionist. Classes will sing or recite a speech before digging in.
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