4th grade
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School refusal is a situation where children refuse to go to school and miss school more than 30 days a year for reasons other than illness or economic reasons. According to the 2023 report by the Education Ministry, the number of elementary and middle school children refusing to go to school was 299,084, which is an increase of 22.1% from the previous year and the highest ever. How should families respond at home if a child refuses to go to school?
Reasons for School Refusal
There are several different reasons for children’s refusal to go to school. One of the reasons is that there is a problem at school, which include relationships with friends and teachers not going well, being unable to keep up with classes, and club or extracurricular activities not going well. In some cases, bullying may be the cause
Another reason is that there is a problem at home. The problem may be a major change in the family environment, relationships with parents not going well, or family relationships not going well.
It might also be linked to some other reasons; not feeling like going to school without any specific cause, developmental disorders and neurosis, and orthostatic dysregulation (OD), a common disease in children around puberty that causes various symptoms including difficulty waking up in the morning. Some children may have multiple reasons.
How to Respond if Your Child Refuses to Go to School
If your child refuses to go to school, let them talk about their concerns or fears. Make sure to listen to them rather than stressing your expectations on them, getting angry or scolding. Children that refuse to go to school may have decreased self-esteem for some reason and feel like they do not fit in at school. Parents should approach a child refusing to go to school in a way that they can feel like they have a place at home, instead of feeling like they will get in trouble. Furthermore, consult with specialists or support organizations as well as the child’s school.
Places Where You Can Consult About Your Child’s School Refusal
You can consult with teachers or counselors at your child’s school. If it cannot be resolved by that, you can also consult with your local government office, such as the educational consultation center, the children and families agency, and the child consultation center and public health center. They can introduce you to the local government’s approach and support details as well as NPOs (Non-profit organizations) providing support.
These support centers are available for consultation by the person experiencing social withdrawal or their families. They provide support in collaboration with related organizations as necessary.
-Child Development Support Center
Development support centers are available for consultation regarding developmental disorders and provide support in collaboration with related organizations as necessary.
It is important that school refusal problems are not kept only within the family. Use support services available. A child’s school refusal can be very stressful for parents as well. Children will always mature. Parents should believe in their children and patiently support them while doing what they can to support them.
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Developmental disorders are congenital disorders related to brain development. People with developmental disorders often have difficulty with communication or interpersonal relationships, and many of them have difficulties in life. There are several types of developmental disorders and each has its strengths and weaknesses depending on its characteristics. Receiving treatments can promote a child’s development and help them live independently.
Characteristics of Developmental Disorders
Common types of developmental disorders include Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Learning Disorders (LD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), Tics and Stuttering.
Autism Spectrum Disorders(ASD)
◯Characteristics:
-Have difficulty with communication or interpersonal relationships
-Show interest in something specific, repeat the same action, etc.
◯Difficulties faced by children with ASD:
-Have difficulty making friends
-Do not like sudden schedule changes
Learning Disorders (LD)
◯Characteristics:
-Have difficulty reading
-Have difficulty writing
-Have difficulty calculating
◯Difficulties faced by children with LD:
-Cannot keep up with school classes
-Self-esteem decreases
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD)
◯Characteristics:
-Have trouble paying attention
-Restless
-Act on impulse
◯Difficulties faced by children with ADHD:
-Have difficulty sitting still during class
-Make careless mistakes
Tics
◯Characteristics:
-Make sudden loud verbal sounds
-Repetitive movement like eye blinking and head shaking
◯Difficulties faced by children with tics:
-People around them think they are restless and cause trouble
Stuttering
◯Characteristics:
-Pausing within a word or repetition of a word
◯Difficulties faced by children with stuttering
-People around them laugh at them
-People around them correct their speech
Places to Consult About Children’s Developmental Disorders
Consult with the local government office in your area if you have any concerns about your child:
- Public health center
- Child care support center
- Child consultation center
- Support center for persons with developmental disorders(in Japanese)
- Child development support center
- Mental health and welfare center(in Japanese)
Developmental Support for Children with Developmental Disorders
Treatments (developmental support) are available for children with developmental disorders. The treatments are to help promote a child’s development so that they can live their daily life smoothly. Treatment details vary depending on the characteristics of the child’s symptoms. Public treatment support is available after you consult with the local government in your area and if the treatment is deemed necessary. Here are the procedures to receive the public treatment support:
1.Consultation:
Consult with public institutions and medical institutions
2.Developmental test:
Child undergoes a specific test
3.Selection of a treatment facility:
Select the facility to receive the treatment. Location varies depending on the local government.
4.Application and issuance of developmental support recipient certificate:
Type of certificate varies depending on the selected facility. Medical certificate may be required depending on the area. Check with your local government office.
5.Start using the facility:
Treatments within the specified type and amount on the certificate are available for the child.
Although the causes of developmental disorders are not clearly understood, the cause is not the way parents raised them or their own lack of effort. Consult with support facilities if you notice your child showing signs of developmental disorders or having problems so that they can receive support.
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A food allergy is an allergy that occurs when you eat a certain food. Symptoms include body itching, hives, swelling of lips, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, coughing, and asthma. Severe symptoms are called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening, and include drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. When teaching children with foreign roots, consider differences in customs and be sure to prevent children from coming into contact with allergens at school.
Food Allergies
The human body has an immune system which keeps invaders like germs and viruses out of the body. Food allergies are caused by an overactive immune system responding to allergens (substances that cause allergies, mostly proteins) contained in certain foods. Food allergies are not only caused by oral intake, but can be caused by the allergen entering the body through inhalation, skin contact or injection. Symptoms from any of these cases, are called food allergies.
Food Allergy Testing
Symptoms that could be due to food allergies include severe and stubborn rash on the face or whole body, rash, vomiting, face turning red and difficulty breathing, and itching in the mouth after eating. If you have these symptoms, get tested for allergies at a hospital to identify the cause.
Foods That Cause Allergic Reactions
There are many types of food that can cause allergic reactions. Allergen labeling is required by the food labeling law. Be sure to check food labels if your child has food allergies.
[Specific Raw Materials]
The 8 food items that must be labeled: shrimp, crab, walnut, wheat, buckwheat, egg, milk, and peanut, are the foods most commonly associated with food allergies and severe symptoms.
[Substances equivalent to specified raw materials]
It is recommended, but not required, to label these 20 food items: almond, abalone, squid, salmon roe, orange, cashew nut, kiwi fruit, beef, sesame seed, salmon, mackerel, soybean, chicken, banana, pork, matsutake mushroom, peach, Japanese yam, apple, and gelatin.
What to Do When Allergic Symptoms Occur
If a child develops allergic symptoms, follow the guidance and take appropriate measures.
Food allergy emergency measures guidance:
Extra attention is required if anaphylaxis occurs. The signs of anaphylaxis include rash and hives spreading over the whole body, redness on the face, swelling of the lips or eyelids, as well as drop of blood pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Reactions such as drop in blood pressure and disturbances in consciousness are called anaphylaxis shock, which is a severe reaction that occurs suddenly and can worsen quickly, and is potentially life-threatening. If you suspect someone is in anaphylaxis shock, call an ambulance (119) and use an EpiPen according to the instructions.
Points to Note When Working With Children With Foreign Roots
Children may come into contact with allergens other than school lunches while they are at school. There are some Japan-specific school events and classes that may include unexpected situations for children and parents with foreign roots. Talk with them about how to deal with the events and classes ahead of time.
-School events and cooking classes:
For Setsubun event, make sure to check that the beans for throwing do not include nuts other than soybeans. For cooking classes, be careful when handling wheat and buckwheat flour, as inhaling the powder may cause allergic symptoms. Caution is also required when students are bringing ingredients from home.
-Art and craft classes:
Wheat clay can cause allergic symptoms by coming into contact with skin. Empty milk cartons, egg cartons, plastic bottles, cans and snack containers used for crafts may contain allergens.
-Sports day, field trips, extracurricular classes and overnight trips:
Make sure to check about allergens in advance when planning a factory tour, etc. For overnight trips, be sure to consult and confirm with the accommodation facility and parents ahead of time.
There are some cultures and customs different from other countries that children may experience at Japanese schools. Check thoroughly about food allergies for children with foreign roots and take measures to keep them safe.
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What should you do if your house was damaged or you lost your passport/driver’s license because of a disaster like an earthquake or typhoon? You can receive relief money or have necessary documents reissued by following the required procedures.
Necessary Procedures if the House You Live in Is Destroyed or Burnt Down
Obtain a “Disaster Victim Certificate” at your local government office, which proves that your house was damaged due to a disaster. The disaster victim certificate can be obtained at a fire station if your house was burnt down because of a fire. A disaster victim certificate may be needed for various procedures, including application for reissuance of certificates, fire insurance claim and tax exemption. Only one disaster victim certificate will be issued per household. Make sure to keep it in a safe place.
What to Do if You Lose Your Passport, Visa or Alien Registration Card
For passport reissuance, you need to go through certain procedures at your country’s embassy. Contact the embassy for documents required for the procedures.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; List of Embassies and Consulates in Japan:
If your visa has expired, follow the visa renewal procedures at an Immigration Bureau’s office. Contact (visit, call or email) the Immigration Information Center for details:
TEL:0570-013904
(IP, PHS, International call: 03-5796-7112)
Hours: Weekdays 8:30 am – 5:15 pm
Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Nepali, Indonesian, Thai, Khmer (Cambodian), Burmese, Mongolian, French, Sinhalese, Urdu
For Alien Registration Card reissuance, follow the procedures at your local government office. Go to a police station for driver’s license reissuances. Both procedures require your personal identification such as passport, alien registration card, driver’s license, insurance card, photo proof, student ID. Ask for advice at the service desk if you lost all your identification due to the disaster.
How to Receive Relief Money
Those who are registered as a resident (holding alien registration), are applicable to receive the relief money. Take your identification certificate to the local government office and follow necessary procedures.
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Japan is prone to earthquakes. Large earthquakes may occur. Typhoons and tsunamis may occur as well. Natural disasters, like earthquakes and typhoons, are called “saigai” in Japanese. Where should you evacuate if a natural disaster occurs?
The First Place to Evacuate to in the Event of a Disaster
Evacuation when a disaster occurs is called “hinan” in Japanese, and an evacuation site, a place to escape to, is called “hinan-basho”. Evacuation sites are normally large areas like parks and schools. Evacuate to an evacuation site near your home or workplace, following the instructions of people at the town hall, police officers, and firefighters. If children are at school when a disaster occurs, they will be kept safe at school.
What Do You Do if You Are Told That Tsunami Is Coming?
Japan is surrounded by ocean. In some areas, large tsunamis may occur after an earthquake. Run to a higher place without hesitation if you are told that Tsunami is coming. It is recommended that you always check the hazard map in your area. If the area you live in could get hit by a tsunami, make sure to check the location of your evacuation site.
What Do You Do if You Can No Longer Live at Home?
You can temporarily live in a shelter if your house collapses or is at risk of collapsing due to a disaster. Evacuation centers are usually nearby elementary and junior high schools, and community centers. At the evacuation center, you can receive necessities such as food, drinks, blankets, sanitary napkins, diapers, etc. Check with the person in charge of the evacuation center about rules to live there. Prepare disaster prevention goods needed when living in an evacuation center in advance
Is Disaster Information Available in Foreign Languages?
NHK news is available in both English and Japanese on TV. On radio, NHK Radio 2 (Tokyo, 693kHz 500kw) provides information on earthquakes with a seismic intensity of low 6 or higher, tsunami advisory, tsunami warnings, and emergency warnings in English, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese. AFN (American Forces Network Tokyo 810kHz) also broadcasts in English.You can listen to the radio from your mobile phone.
An application that allows you to listen to radio programs radiko
(Reference) “Q&A Manual to Support Foreigners in Case of Disasters” by Tokyo International Communication Committee:
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In Japan, omisoka, which means “New Year’s Eve”, is considered to be an important day to get ready to welcome the new year. Here is some information on how people spend New Year’s Eve in Japan.
When Is Omisoka?
Omisoka means New Year’s Eve. The word “misoka” is originally written as “三十日” in kanji, which means 30th day of the month. December 31st is called “omisoka”, which is written as “大晦日” in kanji (30 days with the word “dai – 大”), and it means the last day of the year.
What Do People Do on Omisoka?
On New Year’s Eve, people do some deep cleaning to welcome the new year comfortably. It is the tradition to clean your home and heart to welcome kami, which is the Shinto god of the new year. After finishing cleaning, people eat Toshikoshi soba; the long soba noodles represent a long and healthy life. Later in the evening, people also go to the temple to ring the New Year’s Eve bell, to get rid of the year’s troubles and welcome the new year feeling refreshed.
Enjoy the last day of the year and have a happy new year!
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In Japan, the period from the end of December through the first three days of January is called the Year-End and New Year holidays, and many companies will be closed during this period. Cultural facilities and government offices will be closed as well as commercial facilities such as department stores and restaurants. Children also have winter break from around Christmas until around January 7th.
When Is the New Year Holiday?
Most companies will be closed for the New Year Holiday for 6 days from December 29th to January 3rd. If a holiday happens to precede or proceed the weekend (depending on the year), the number of holidays will increase. December 28th is usually the last day of work for the year which is called “shigoto-osame”, and the first day of work for the new year is called “shigoto-hajime”.
Are All Facilities Closed on New Year’s Day?
Most commercial facilities like department stores and restaurants are open through December 31st and some of them will be closed for New Year’s up to around January 3rd. Check their business schedule in advance if you plan to visit these places during the holidays as the schedule varies depending on the facility. Be sure to check the winter holidays of the facilities you often visit, such as supermarkets and drugstores. Public facilities including libraries and city halls will be closed during the Year-End and New Year holidays.
Customer service counters at post offices and banks will also be closed from December 31st through January 3rd. Plan ahead if you need cash as ATM may not be available for money withdrawal during this period.
Places to Visit During New Year’s Holidays
In Japan, some people go to visit a temple on New Year’s Eve and ring the New Year’s Eve bell. When the new year begins, there is a custom of going to shrines to pray for health and safety for the coming year. Therefore, temples and shrines from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day can often be visited throughout the day.
It may be a good idea to check what you need and prepare ahead of time, so that you can spend the Year-End and New Year’s holidays without any troubles.
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There are services where you can consult about children’s bullying. If you have concerns about your child’s condition, talk to a specialist about it instead of trying to deal with it on your own.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying includes physically hurting someone by hitting or kicking them, or mentally hurting someone by doing something that they are uncomfortable with, such as saying mean things about them or ignoring them. Making someone feel embarrassed or taking money from them is also considered bullying.
Bullying can occur not only one-on-one, but also in groups. “Nakama-hazure” which means leaving someone out, includes ignoring them, not talking to them, and not playing with them. Recently there is also a type of bullying called “net-ijime; cyberbullying” which is harassment that takes place online and it is difficult for teachers and parents to notice.
What to Do if You Want to Know if Your Child Is Involved in Bullying
Children who are bullied are often distressed but unable to talk about it to their teachers or parents. They can become reluctant to go to school, become quiet, or lose their appetite. Children who are bullying can start talking rough. In either case, you may start to notice unusual behavior. When in doubt, use the following check sheet to help you be aware of your child’s situation:
Bullying Checklist (Ministry of Education)
What to Do When Your Child Is Being Bullied
If you find out that your child is being bullied or is bullying, listen to your child carefully first, then talk to their teachers and ask for their advice.
Where Can You Talk About Bullying?
There are some consultation services outside of schools, where children or their parents can talk about bullying. There are also places where children can directly talk about bullying. Do not hesitate to use these services if it is difficult for parents/children to talk to the teachers.
-24-hour children SOS helpline TEL:0120-0-78310
Telephone counseling available from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, when you are in trouble due to bullying or when you are worried about your safety or the safety of your friends. Dialing this number will connect you to the counseling service organization at the board of education in your area.
https://www.mext.go.jp/ijime/index.htm
-Children’s rights hotline TEL:0120-007-110
Toll-free and dedicated telephone counseling for children with human rights problems including bullying and abuse. Parents/guardians can use this service as well as children.
https://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken112.html
-Human rights hotline TEL:0570-003-110
Telephone counseling of various human rights problems including discrimination, abuse and harassment, provided by legal affairs bureaus nationwide.
https://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken20.html
-LINE (SNS) human rights counseling
Counseling available via SNS (LINE).
https://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken03_00034.html
-Children’s rights SOS e-mail
Counseling available for elementary and junior high school aged children via email or phone.
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If your child becomes unwell on holidays or at night, you can seek advice via phone. Pediatricians or nurses are available to help you decide whether or not to go to a hospital.
What to Do if Your Child Suddenly Becomes Unwell on Holidays or at Night?
Children’s health phone consultation services are available even on holidays and at night. Pediatricians or nurses are available to answer questions such as how to deal with your child’s condition and which hospital to visit. Call the following number if you have trouble making decisions about your child’s sudden illness:
Children’s Health Phone Consultation: #8000 (from push-button land lines and cell phones)
Tokyo: 03-5285-8898 (from all phones including dial lines and IP phones)
Operating hours:
- Monday through Friday (other than national holidays, and year-end and New Year’s holidays): 6:00 pm to 8:00 am
- Saturday, Sunday, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays: 8:00 am to 8:00 am on the following day
Daytime Consultations About Your Child
Consultation services are available at health centers in your local ward/city, if you have any concerns about your child’s growth or health but you do not think it requires a hospital visit. Childcare consultation is available on a fixed date. Phone consultations and home visit consultations are also available. Check with each health center for their operating dates and hours.
-Tokyo Health Center
Special Ward Public Healthcare Center
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Tokyo 018 (zero-ichi-hachi) support is a child allowance to provide seamless support for the upbringing of all children residing in Tokyo. To start receiving the allowance in January, 2024 (Reiwa 6), applications must be submitted by December 15, 2023.
What Is 018 (Zero-Ichi-Hachi) Support?
018 support provides 5,000 yen per month (60,000 yen annual) per child who is a resident in Tokyo and is 18 or under. The purpose of this allowance is to provide steady support to children’s learning and development, and to create a child-rearing friendly environment.
Tokyo Child/Child-rearing Support
Who Is Eligible?
There is no income limit to receive 018 support. Children who meet following requirements are eligible.
1.If the child was born between April 2, 2005 (Heisei 17) and March 1, 2024 (Reiwa 6).
2.If the child has or has had an address in Tokyo during the fiscal year 2023 (in principle).
* This includes those who were born, those who moved into Tokyo, and those who moved out of Tokyo, during the fiscal year 2023
* Residence status as of the 1st of each month will be confirmed.
What Is the Amount and Timing of Payment?
The amount paid by 018 support is 5,000 yen per child per month. A lump-sum amount will be paid in January, 2024, if applications are submitted by December 15, 2023.
How to Apply for 018 Support
Applications can be submitted online:
-If the eligible person (child) is under 18 years old, a guardian/parent must apply.
- If the eligible person (child) is 18 years old, a guardian/parent or the eligible person themselves must apply.
* As the age of 18 is considered an adult, a letter of attorney from the eligible person (child) is required when a guardian/parent is submitting the applications.
If you are unable to submit applications online, applications by postal mail are accepted. As a special application form is required to apply by mail, call the call center to ask for the form.
Documentations Required to Apply for 018 Support
To apply for 018 support, the following documentations are required; “identity verification document for applicant”, “documents that confirm the family relationship between the applicant and the child (eligible person)”, “documents that can confirm the bank account for the transfer”. Make sure to prepare these documents in advance.
Points to Note When Applying
018 support allowance is considered part of the eligible person’s (child’s) income. If the eligible child’s income for the year is only the 018 support allowance, it is not taxed. If the eligible child has a temporary income other than the 018 support allowance, or lives outside of Japan, it may be taxed.
Call the call center if you have any questions. For those who are receiving public assistance, the 018 support allowance will not be recognized as income.
Call the call center if you have further questions. If you wish to receive this allowance, apply immediately.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government 018 Support Benefits Call Center
Navi Dial:0570-082-018
* Operating hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays except for year-end and New Year holidays)
○Easy Japanese and multilingual versions of the flyer
-Easy Japanese version
018 Support Flyer (Easy Japanese version) (PDF:1,429KB)
018 Support Online Application Guide (Easy Japanese version)(PDF:1,710KB)
-English version
018 Support Flyer (English version) (PDF:1,456KB)
018 Support Online Application Guide (English version) (PDF:1,746KB)
-Chinese version
018 Support Flyer (Chinese version) (PDF:1,585KB)
018 Support Online Application Guide (Chinese version) (PDF:1,859KB)
-Korean version
018 Support Flyer (Korean version) (PDF:1,490KB)
018 Support Online Application Guide (Korean version) (PDF:1,755KB)