Gakudo and friendships

8 comments

1. At the Gakudo my kids went to it was mostly playing and they could do homework only if they wanted. Gakudo is 1st and 2nd grade only, so the homework only takes 10-20 minutes anyway.

2. At ours it’s like 1 hour homework plus reading, etc. and the rest until 18:0 is play and some TV in the end.

   I think it’s a good place for the kids to interact with each other even when they aren’t in the same class or school year.

3. My kids were in gakudo for a few years. There were plenty of friends to play with there. At my kids school (and I’d imagine most public schools) there is a separate PTA for Gakudo (on top of the regular school PTA) so be prepared to have to join at least one year and do *something*. When it was my turn I helped out with the big clean day. My wife got roped into joining two years in a row and then in the third year they voted her president of the gakudo PTA, which is when we decided the kids were big enough and we withdrew them.

4. Thank you very much!
   Did they go there every day? I guess PTA is unavoidable at some point sadly 🥲

5. My kid just entered elementary school this year and he’s going to Gakudo. It’s mostly just playing, and most of the kids actually love being in Gakudo more than school cause there’s less studying.

   That said, I think you have some misconception. Gakudo is reserved for full working parents, not everyone can enter them. You’ll be screened by points just like hoikuen every year. The 1st and 2nd year kids has more points given that’s why it’s easier to enter. After 3rd year you get less point so it would be harder, and most kids stop going to Gakudo by 4th year.

   And yes most gakudo kids go there everyday, cause their parents are working full time everyday. Usually kids go home 5-6 pm, so yeah same like hoikuen.

6. Like others have said, depends on the school. At the (rural) schools I worked at gakudo was held inside the school, though I was told that this is a bit unusual. Some schools were stricter than others on studying. I had students at one school who disliked gakudo because they were forced to study. At another school gakudo mainly consisted of playing in the gym. At all the schools I worked at gakudo was for all students 1st-6th grade and (I believe) regardless of whether or not both parents full time worked. Though most kids with a parent at home just went home

7. I live in a small town in NE Japan. I have a 2nd grader and one Nencho in nursery school.

   Gakudo is a wonderful option. The caretakers help with homework assignments, they have snack time, and usually have resources and activities for the kids.

   Usually, your child will be with many other kids from 1st to 6th grade. Find out if your child has friends in their class going to gakudo.

   I wouldn’t worry about studying all the time. My son does about 30min of homework and plays with the other gakudo students inside the location and outside on the playground equipment when the weather is nice.

8. Our area has twilight school which is the kids staying at the ES school in a particular room – its aimed at parents who will pick their kids up around 4-5 (closes at 6). It has no special activities and kids are mostly expected to do homework or play with each other. It is closed in the summer and winter vacations, but it is free.

   Then we have Gakudo which is open until 7.30pm, will feed the children an afternoon snack and has activities for kids. Usually kids do homework for an hour, then they have snack, then they can play with toys, outside etc.

   It is open all year round. We have a yearly camp and festival etc. My son goes there, and it is for all grades. A lot of the staff are either mothers with older children or University students who want to become teachers. Costs 2man/month but its very good value.

   Downside is our gakudo has a high PTA element and all the activities are planned by the parents. I’m currently planning the Christmas party…….