News
Prepare Your Family for Back to School
2020-08-18
It's that time of year again (already!?): Back to School season. Nothing about 2020 has been on a normal timeline and summer break is no exception. For Japanese public schools, it was an abbreviated one, shortened by several weeks. And for most students, it may have been indistinguishable from the spring when many schools closed due to Coronavirus and learning was done at home virtually. But in late August many children throughout the country are expected to return to classrooms (even if only part-time), so it's time for parents to get ready! After-school activities, tutoring, homework help,...
TELL Japan: Resources & Support for Families
2020-08-12
The families in the CareFinder community are incredibly diverse. They speak many languages and represent countries all over the world. Some have always been in Japan, others are brand new to the country. But while every family we work with is unique, many do face similar challenges when it comes to the mental and behavioral health of their members. Given the current situation and uncertainty related to Coronavirus, we wanted to remind you of resources available to help your family. Last fall, we spoke with Selena Hoy ,...
Summer Heat Safety Tips
2020-07-28
In case you haven't been outside lately (and with all this rain, it wouldn't be surprising!), just a head's up: it's hot out there! Summer in Japan is usually marked by warm weather and high humidity. Despite the extended rainy season, this year won't be an exception. Add to that the ongoing issue of COVID spread and the necessity to wear masks, being out and about in the summer heat can come with some very real health concerns. Dehydration and heat illness (or heat stroke) are common concerns exacerbated by mask-wearing. Luckily, there are simple things you and your family can do to stay...
Avoid Summer Brain Drain!
2020-07-22
Well, this "summer" is definitely different than previous years! To start, many international school students haven't been in the classroom since March and many public school students will unfortunately find their summer vacations shortened to make up for lost time. Silver lining? The dreaded "Summer Slide" or "Summer Brain Drain" effect may not be as much an issue this time around. After all, many students have *already* been learning remotely, so plenty of parents are well-versed in at-home educational activities (for better or for worse!). However, it still remains important to keep your...
While raising a child anywhere is a big job, raising one in Japan can present special challenges. Especially for parents of children with mixed Japanese heritage. Uchi-soto (which translates to "inside/outside") culture in Japan is a centuries-old societal structure that prioritizes belonging to groups. While Uchi-soto helps to build strong communities and relationships, it can also have the unfortunate effect of making anyone not in a group feel very much like an outsider. For children who have mixed Japanese heritage (traditionally referred to as “Hāfu,” a term which a growing number of...
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