Education Column: scientific learning is important for children to grow up

Oita Godo Newspaper (morning edition on May 20, 2009)

In today's column, we will talk about "the studies of children's security" and how to develop children to be able to protect themselves in any unpredictable situation.

When we educate children about how to deal with a crisis, actually we should not instruct them with the whole technical know-how when encounter a crisis equally to children of every age but rather separate how to teach scientifically step by step for the best understanding and the most effective implementation of children from different ages.

 There are several methods to help children become clever and helpful adolescents but must be done corresponding to their ages and abilities. According to professor KIYONAGA Kenji, the author of the article, there are four steps for 4 age groups.

1. Kindergarten children need to be trained in order to have at least the physical ability to confront with a crisis.

2. Children at junior elementary schools need to be trained in order to have knowledge to feel (sense) the coming of a crisis and know the way to avoid.

3. Children at senior elementary schools need to practice the communicating skill in order to warn friends about a happening crisis and to share the awareness with others.

4. Elder children must be educated and trained to overcome a crisis wisely. They should be able to decide appropriate approaches to recover the situation. Also, they need to have enough ability to keep the responsibility.

Comment:  I cannot agree more with the professor. This method will highly help children of every age to deal with a crisis more professionally within their highest abilities of each age group. Go ahead!

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University