3Years in Sendai 11 - -Mukaiyama Yochien (Kindergarten)

The Baharis meeting with the Principal of Mukaiyama Yochien Mr. Kimura in his elegant home. The school adopted the Rudolf Steiner method of teaching preschoolers how to adapt themselves tot eh school environment. They were honed into being very comfortable with others of the peers and how to get along in any given situation. Most of the teachings were in the form of 'Play'.

The school had a small zoo where sheep, rabbits and  peacocks were kept for the children to play around with. The spirit of interactive and interdependent was instilled into the children at a very early stage of their education and each child is taken care of as an individual within a group.

Animals and natural surroundings were very crucial part of the children's education as such  the school arranged for as many excursions and trips away from the school as they could afford to and the parents were fully involved in these extra activities.

All the teachers at the school were very dedicated to what they were doing  sometimes almost to the point of over zealousness.. But it seemed like they were having a time doing their job and the children in turn reciprocated to their ways. Sometimes it seems the teachers too were getting good education in the process as can be seen in the minute detailed presentation of the children's report cards which parents were required to make comments along with every end of the week.

The school had an indoor swimming pool which was a popular time among the students. The manner in which the students were instructed  in how they approached the pool was very enlightening even for me. Each kid was for example washed individually in a tub before he or she was allowed into the pool.

Our two children could not have had a better choice for their preschool education as they were in the best of the best in the city of Sendai as far as I was concern. I realize that they most probably would forget most of what they had experienced here in their early age but i am sure that their minds would keep in store a few of the most pertinent events of their lives here as future lessons in life.

Due to my wife was often not available, I had to be present for most of the Paretns meetings at the scthool. Not being able to understand much of what was being said i spent my time sketching the parents and this  in a way also helps the mothers by not being too concern about my presence or being left out. Off course at the end of every meeting the finished  sketch was the center of attention with a whole lot of giggling and snickering all around.

My daughter was most at home when she was in school. The school  organizes all kinds of outdoor activities for the children and these activities involves the parents. I tried my best to be present at these events making sure that my chuildren benefit from every moment of it whether it was a positive or a negative experience.

I was aware of the blessings that was showered upon my children at that moment in their lives and because of our willingness to migrate of made the 'Hijrah' as in Islam my Lord opened doors for us to benefit our children.