Children in Prep have approached their learning of Japanese very enthusiastically. During their Japanese lessons this year, they have been learning some simple greetings. The children have realised that in Japan, people greet each other by bowing. They have discovered that bowing is an important part of the Japanese culture and that bowing to someone when greeting them in Japan is polite. Students have also come to understand that boys and girls bow slightly differently.

The children have learnt to say the Japanese words ‘Konnichi Wa’ meaning ‘Hello’, ‘Sayounara’ meaning ‘Good-bye’ and ‘Sensei’ meaning ‘Teacher’.

Prep children have also learned that Japanese people write in a different way to people in Australia. They have been taking part in learning games and activities recognising and writing the Japanese symbols forこんにちは (Konnichi Wa) and さようなら (Sayounara). Students have also played an online game where they drag and drop the Japanese symbols forこんにちは  (Konnichi Wa) into their correct order.

This week, classes throughout the school have been learning about Japan’s most important celebration, New Year called ‘Oshougatsu’ in Japanese and some of the customs and traditions associated with this holiday.

The photos below are of some of the Prep children participating in some of the Japanese learning games and completing consolidation activities.