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An Active Learning Picture Book That Teaches the Differences in Education Across 5 Countries 『Naja's Five Schools』
The picture book "Nadezhda's Five Schools" ( published by Dai-Nichi Co., Ltd., authored by Kirillova Nadezhda), born from the popular serialized column "Active Learning: How About This?" * in the Dentsu Inc. News, was released on September 11.
*A serialized column exploring "Active Learning"—where children learn proactively—from various angles.
Author Nadia attended elementary schools in five countries—Russia, the UK, France, the US, and Japan—due to her parents' job transfers. Drawing on these childhood experiences,
・In Russian elementary schools, everyone eats breakfast together, and writing is done with blue pens
・French elementary schools arrange desks in a circle for lessons, students go home for lunch, and Wednesdays are days off
・In the US, textbooks were rarely used, and classes were named after the teacher
She introduces the differences in elementary schools across these countries through school supplies, seating arrangements, teachers, classmates, and daily anecdotes.
Nadezhda, an elementary school student, is sometimes surprised, sometimes amused, and sometimes filled with innocent questions by the differences in each school. Her perspective offers moments that can startle even adults, making for a fascinating read.
Japanese elementary schools also hold many mysteries for Naja: "Why does the school have a pool?" "Why are there so many notebooks?" "What's a cleaning duty?" This offers a fresh perspective on Japanese education.
The differences in education across five countries reflect distinct approaches to learning, each with its own merits. Furthermore, the universal truth remains: regardless of classmates' nationalities, differing viewpoints, or varying strengths, mutual respect and nurturing each individual's uniqueness are paramount.
This "Active Learning Picture Book" allows both adults and children to enjoy learning these concepts naturally.
Naja's free-thinking and unique perspectives are perfect for flexing adult minds too! It's also a great book to take a break from work.
Want to discover more episodes? Curious about Naja's adult reflections? Then the serialized column in Dentsu Inc. is a must-read!
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