While considering an early childhood classroom, many people may be wondering whether to sign up for a trial lesson. If you know what to see before you actually visit, you will be able to use your time more effectively on the day of the experience. This time, I have made a list of points that you should check during the trial class.
1. Why trial lessons are important
Brochures and websites alone do not convey the actual atmosphere of classes, interactions between teachers and children, and the atmosphere of the class. Trial lessons are a valuable opportunity to see how things are actually going. In particular, each child’s personality and interests are different, so the classroom that suits someone else may not necessarily be suitable for your child, so there is great value in actually experiencing it.
2. Items to check during the trial class
Is the teacher carefully monitoring the child’s reaction?
Instead of advancing the material in one direction, see if you are adjusting it to suit your child’s progress.
Does your child enjoy participating?
Observe if they seem forced to do something, if they smile or if they have moments of concentration.
Do the class sizes and pace seem appropriate for your child?
It is also important to check whether there are too many people or whether the progress is too fast or slow.
Is the explanation not one-sided, and does it try to elicit statements and reactions from the child?
See if you have time to ask questions and wait for your child’s answers.
In addition to speaking Japanese, are there instructions for everyday life such as greetings and following the order?
This is a point that you should check to make sure that it is not biased only towards the learning aspect.
After the experience, are there concrete explanations about how to study in the future?
It is important not only to experience the experience, but also to be carefully guided through the process afterward.
During the experience, are parents polite and responsive to their questions?
In addition to observing how your child is doing, you can also determine whether the classroom is trustworthy by whether parents can get their questions answered on the spot.
3. What is important in the children’s club trial lesson
Children’s Club trial lessons allow you to see how your child interacts with and responds to the material in the same atmosphere as in a real class. Based on the idea of “comprehensive human development,” we not only learn Japanese, but alsopower to concentrateorHow to interact with friendsYou can experience situations like this as well.
4. Things you can do to feel safe by preparing before the experience
No special preparation is required on the day of the experience. However, if you write down one or two things you’re curious about in advance, you’ll be able to ask questions after the experience more smoothly.
Many children get nervous and freeze up, so be sure to reassure them before coming that it’s okay as usual. It is not unusual for your child to not be able to participate as much as you would like in an experience setting. It’s a natural reaction to be wary of new places and people, so it might be a good idea to consider feedback from your teacher as well, rather than just making decisions based on how things go that day.
5. Frequently asked questions
Q. At what age can I participate in a trial lesson?
A. Children from around 3 years old can participate depending on the course.
Q. Do I have to join after trying it out?
A.No. The experience is just an opportunity for you to get a feel for the atmosphere, so it is not necessary to join on the spot.
Q. I’m shy, but is that okay?
A. It’s okay. At first, it’s okay to just wait and see. I hope you can get used to it little by little.
Q. How long does a trial lesson take?
A. It varies slightly depending on the course, but the length of the class is approximately the same as the regular class time. You can check the exact time when you apply.
Q. Can siblings participate together?
A. The courses are divided according to age, so you can try them out at the same time. Please contact us in advance regarding the schedule.
6. Why not check the checklist yourself?
If you make a list of points of interest, you will be able to discover more on the day of the experience. Why not take a trial lesson first to see what the atmosphere is like?