カテゴリー: SMILE English

SMILE Vol.29 January 13, 2018 (H30)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Without truth, honesty, and courtesy is a farce and a play!

This was the words of “Nitobe Inazo” who studied in the suburbs of Philadelphia the early Meiji era. He participated in the meeting at Morris House (main building) together with “Uchimura Kanzo” .
Well, let me explain the words at the first paragraph. There are the four Confucian virtues “benevolence, justice, courtesy, and wisdom” (Jin, Gi, Rei, Chi). Among them, especially “Rei” is a concrete representation of spiritual wealth. If that “Rei” is done by pressing, or if it is just a form, it can’t be helped even if it is told that it is a play or a farce.
The important thing is to be faithful and honest. We want to live faithfully every day. 続きを読む…

SMILE Vol.28 January 6, 2018 (H30)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Happy New Year!

It is said that from the ancient times “It is important to start with a great New Year’s Day”. Now we have reached the new year, I think it’s important for children to have their own new goals.
In addition, the third semester is also an important time to summarize the current grade and prepare for the new grade at the same time.
Three Months from now, you will be reaching to a new grade. It’s time to review your learning attitude, lifestyle and know what you have to do to improve.
続きを読む…

SMILE Vol.26 December 9, 2017 (H29)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Being different is OK! Human Rights Week

Human Rights Week is between December 4 and 10. This is a week to learn about differences among ourselves, and to celebrate them.
When you parents notice that your children are involved with bullying or hurting somebody, it is your responsibility to teach them it is a shameful act. In so doing, it is better to tell them your genuine feeling about how much you love them, wish them to grow as nice people, and share the hurt feeling about your children being involved with bullying and discrimination instead of lecturing them about common sense morality.
In addition, I believe it is important that parents themselves show children by not having prejudice or discrimination against anybody.
続きを読む…

Smile News Letter SMILE Vol.24 November 18, 2017 (H29)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

The smaller the child is, the more it can be expected that they grow to be role model

The smaller a child is, the more it can be expected that they grow to be role model. The older they become, the less it can be expected that they grow to be role model.
For example, if parents wish their child to be a considerable, kind and warm-hearted child, parents should live so that the child can see the way parents wish their child to be. However, because parents do not act and just wish, they have to nag at their children.
I’ve always thought that children would not follow what parents say. However, children learn a lot from what parents act and imitate it well. If children do not copy what parents do and follow as what parents say, all children would grow up to be so brilliant. This is true to caregivers and teachers and education would become much easier. (Masami Sasaki “A gaze towards a child”)
続きを読む…

SMILE Vol.23 November 12, 2017 (H29)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Puberty is the time to search for yourself

It is very important to establish “identity” during puberty.
It is not easy to explain in Japanese, however; it translates to “self-identity” or “ego-identity”.
Identity is to realize how you exist or to know your essence and the difference from others.
Easy to say, puberty is the time to confirm what kind of personalities, characteristics, abilities, or skills you have. At the same time you will be conscious of your weakness or disadvantages, and you confirm those points and admit them. So, during the process of establishing identity, you start thinking about how you take a social role or what possible jobs you can get in the future- that is Puberty as well.
(Masami Sasaki “A gaze towards a child”) 続きを読む…

SMILE Vol.22 October 28, 2017 (H29)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

More family time in the fall!

According to the “Koujien,” a popular Japanese dictionary, 『団欒(だんらん) (family get-together)』 means to sit in a circle and chat happily. Aren’t we reminded that we spend very little time as a family? Why don’t we create more family time and enjoy some family activities such as family reading night, hiking on weekend, or a museum visit showcasing some kids art? Of course a simple dinner with all family members would be a great idea, too! Can we take a moment and think how we can enjoy this fall season as a family? 続きを読む…

SMILE Vol.21 October 21, 2017 (H29)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Strength and Mysteriousness of Japanese

I read the book “Kanji and Japanese,” which I bought at bazaar last month. When we write a Japanese sentence, the sentence is a mixture of Kanji and Hiragana. Only a blend of both Kanji and Hiragana can make the sentences. Moreover, each character of Kanji has meaning. We cannot recognize the meaning of Kanji if we just hear the sound in isolation of the sentence. Hiragana, on the other hand, does not have meaning in each character, but it does have meaning unique in its sounds. Only Japanese is this way.
For example, if you hear “katei no mondai” in Japanese, you must guess ”katei” 『家庭(family)』『課程(process)』『仮定(Assumption)』by hearing the other word in the sentence. We must hear the context in order to derive meaning. It is normal for us, but it is also weird. In most other languages, we can get meaning just by hearing the sentences. In Japanese, we need to get the meaning of Kanji to understand the each kanji character’s meaning. Maybe this is the tough part of learning Japanese, but it is also a good hint for how one must learn it.
続きを読む…

SMILE Vol.20 October 14, 2017 (H29)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Other-Oriented Life Style

We are all both self centered as well as other-oriented. When we don’t consider others, we may have trouble seeing clearly outside our personal focus. Also we may have a limited point of view and may judge inappropriately. However, when we see things in terms of others, we can influence others and help so much more. By discerning judgement we gain clarity otherwise missed. Keep in mind to be other oriented so that you can have a more purposeful life for yourself and others. 続きを読む…