Turn the “first-grade wall” into confidence.
Getting ready for school starts here.

SorobanSoroban class

Children learn to understand numbers and how they work, and practice the basics of addition and subtraction thoroughly on the soroban (Japanese abacus). By building “confidence in math,” they can start learning at elementary school without stumbling, feeling secure.
*Children work toward earning kyu grades through the grade exams.

CalligraphyCalligraphy class

Children reliably learn to read and write hiragana and katakana. Moving step by step, from pencil to brush pen to water calligraphy, they build the skill of writing beautiful characters and the concentration they need for learning. It gives great peace of mind as school approaches.
*In calligraphy, children work toward kyu and dan grades.

SorobanEntering the final kindergarten year (now age 4–5)

Making friends with numbers! From “This is fun!” to “I did it!” We treasure each child’s first encounter with numbers and build the basics playfully, like a game.

• Materials: Our original textbook includes number mazes, puzzles, and more, so children learn number recognition and the basics of calculation without getting bored.
• The soroban we use: A “10-bead soroban” that is easy for small children to handle. Starting with gentle calculations with no carrying, children experience the fun of working with numbers (we provide the 10-bead soroban in the classroom). Once they finish the 10-bead course, they move on to a 23-rod soroban.

CalligraphyEntering the final kindergarten year (now age 4–5)

Beautiful handwriting is a treasure for life. With careful guidance, we nurture “writing skills” and “concentration.” We begin with how to hold a pencil and move smoothly into calligraphy.

• Pencil handwriting: Careful guidance from the correct grip and posture. Using our original textbook, children practice writing hiragana correctly.
• Preparing for calligraphy (learning to settle down): We don’t jump straight into ink. With a “brush pen” and “water calligraphy” (writing with water), children learn how to handle the tools and get used to sitting calmly at a desk.
• When calligraphy with ink begins: Watching how each child is doing (as a guide, from around January of the final kindergarten year), we start real practice with ink. First come the basic stroke endings: tome, hane, and harai. We provide the brush pens and water calligraphy tools in the classroom. There are no grade exams during the final kindergarten year.

SorobanEntering Grade 1 (now in the final kindergarten year)

Children step up at a comfortable pace, matched to their own level of understanding.

• Materials: We choose a textbook that matches each child’s level. Children deepen their understanding of numbers, which connects to math lessons at elementary school.
• The soroban we use: A full-size “23-rod soroban,” on which children build their calculation skills.

CalligraphyEntering Grade 1 (now in the final kindergarten year)

Children firm up the basics of reading and writing and learn to handle calligraphy tools properly.

• Pencil handwriting: Using our original textbook, children make reading and writing hiragana and katakana second nature.
• Calligraphy (brush writing): We carefully teach how to set out, put away, and handle the tools, and children learn to spend time calmly in the classroom. Practice with ink moves forward in stages, building concentration at a comfortable pace.
• Moving up a grade: Right after joining, children focus on basic practice (with laminated model sheets). From April, when they enter Grade 1, they can try for higher kyu and dan grades by submitting the monthly assignment.