Voice scale [Free Download] ■Voice volume control and Practicing TPO Awareness for kids Especially in Japanese society, When you speak loudly when you should be quiet, people might think you should "KU-KI YOME" or "K.Y." Literally translated, "Read the air", it means "can't read the room" or "lacks social awareness " inconsiderate of the situation. Therefore, in Japanese elementary schools and similar settings, it is important to control one's voice volume appropriately according to the situation. For example, speak loudly when giving a presentation in front of your classmates, and be quiet when listening to others, depending on the situation. However, some children with developmental disabilities may struggle to control their vocal muscles, resulting in unexpectedly loud voices that are not intentional. From my observation of my children, this seems to be particularly noticeable when they are nervous. For children who consistently speak loudly, activities like squats and sit-ups that help with overall body control are beneficial. This advice is mentioned in Jun Kimura's book "Reading, Writing, and Communication Play," Also for such children, it is helpful to teach appropriate body usage and practice being mindful of voice volume according to the situation using the "Voice scale." This can also be helpful for children without developmental issues but who are unfamiliar with Japanese customs, such as foreign children. ■How to use Show them the scale and say, "Here is the volume level you need now." or ask them, "What is your volume of voice now?" when their voice doesn't match the situation. At times like this, parents and teachers can also help by modeling their voices by making them louder or softer, adjusting to the appropriate level. This makes it easier for the child to understand and follow, eventually enabling them to adjust their volume even without the scale. [free download!] Please read my website terms of use for more information, before downloading. →[About using support tools] 🇺🇸Voice scale in English -PDF 🇯🇵Voice scale in Japanese -PDF *In my home, we used to explain voice volume by comparing it to the volume levels on the TV, but since this might vary from household to household, we have adjusted it to a scale of off to 4. 🇯🇵 Original post of this article Book version of this article：「発達障害＆グレーゾーン子育てから生まれた　楽々かあさんの伝わる！ 声かけ変換」 大場美鈴・著（2020.6　あさ出版）p.139収録　→Amazon.jp Translation publication: Korean, Thai, Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese

It's 2024 greetings, from 🇯🇵. While it feels difficult to express a hearty "Happy New Year!" as we step into the new year in Japan, especially considering the challenging circumstances, I sincerely extend my condolences to everyone in the areas around the Noto Peninsula affected by the big earthquake. In a situation where it's nearly impossible to say "Stay positive at all times," I hope, including yourself, that everyone can cherish and value what they have at the moment. Amidst this, witnessing the mutual support and community efforts in the affected areas, such as communal cooking on television, I can't help but think, even in adversity, "people are resilient and warm." Not limited to natural disasters, there are moments in life, during crises or when one lacks personal capacity, where small acts of kindness and consideration from others can truly uplift the spirit. Reflecting on my own experiences, there were times during the daily challenges of parenting when the actions of "strangers" were a source of salvation, relieving the weight on my shoulders. In the spirit of welcoming 2024, I'd like to share stories of those "others" during my parenting journey who made me believe that "The world isn't something to waste," incorporating my experiences and lessons learned. ■ Episode 1: The Grandma Who Helped Put Shoes on My Eldest Son When my second son was a baby and struggling with severe allergies and atopic dermatitis, I was desperately trying to manage. I often found myself driving for an hour each way to a renowned hospital in an unfamiliar area, with my then two-year-old eldest son in tow. The popular hospital was always crowded, and the wait for consultation could stretch to two or three hours. On top of that, my eldest son, who couldn't stay still, quickly grew bored in the cramped waiting area's toy corner. So, with my second son in a baby carrier, I would entertain my fussy eldest son while waiting for our turn. After a brief five-minute medical treatment, I'd be utterly exhausted by the time we reached the payment counter. With another wait at the adjacent pharmacy and the prospect of another hour-long drive back home, I was completely drained of energy and patience. As we were leaving the hospital, my eldest son struggled to put on his shoes and looked up at me with a plea, "Mom, shoes." Feeling too tired to crouch down and help while holding my second son, I coldly exclaimed, "Just put them on yourself!" At that moment, a nearby grandmother approached with a warm smile and effortlessly put the small shoes on my eldest son's little feet. She gently said, "He waited so patiently for so long, even though he's still so small." Those words struck me. "Oh, he's only two years old..." I realized. When you have a baby, the older child often seems much older, and as parents, we tend to raise the expectations due to this perceived maturity. However, whether the child is 0 or 2 years old, both children are small from the perspective of others. Following the grandmother's words, I couldn't fathom the effort it took for my still-small eldest son (Especially since he is a curious child) to wait for three hours in a confined space. I felt ashamed for not recognizing his effort due to my lack of composure. In the car on the way back, as I gazed at my eldest son's innocent sleeping face in the rearview mirror, tears wouldn't stop streaming down my face. Since then, whenever I felt inclined to tell my older child, "You're a big brother now, so.." the image of that grandmother from that day would come to my mind. ■ Episode 2: The Foreign Mom Who Captured My Daughter This happened when my daughter was around two years old and still wobbling about, and my second son was in kindergarten. One day, it was time to pick up my second son from kindergarten, but my daughter was peacefully napping. Feeling reluctant to wake her up and bring her along, and considering that the kindergarten was nearby, and I could return home within ten minutes by car, I decided, "Well, it should be fine for a short while." So, I quietly locked the front door and left the house(*1). However, upon returning with my second son, I found the front door unlocked, and my face turned pale as my eldest daughter was nowhere to be seen. Panicking, I rushed out of the house, shouting my daughter's name while scouring the entire neighborhood. I received eyewitness information from moms at the park that "Michael's mom (pseudonym) was talking to a little child," and I rushed to the scene. There, a tall foreign mom was securely holding my daughter's hand at the edge of the road. When she recognized that I was the mother, she smiled in relief and said to my daughter, "Mom's here. Good thing!" She seemed genuinely relieved. According to her story, my daughter was toddling around in just a T-shirt and a diaper, and the foreign mom, finding it odd, decided that it might be dangerous, so she caught her to be safe. However, being a foreigner, she thought, "This child might get scared because of my appearance," so she contacted a Japanese mom she knew (although my daughter wasn't scared of her). From my perspective, regardless of nationality, skin color, or body size, she was a goddess who, on the spot, used her wits to capture my daughter. I will forever be indebted to her. We were only acquaintances through acquaintances, and I only knew her as "Michael's mom." After that incident, I've only glimpsed her whizzing by on her bike about once a year. Yet, whenever I see her, I bow my head in gratitude in my heart (I feel like the day I see her will be my lucky day!). By the way, I found out later, that my daughter knew how to unlock the door and, finding me absent when she woke up, decided, "I have to go meet Mom." With determination, she stuffed her favorite doll into her backpack and cheerfully set off for kindergarten. Lesson learned, I have since made it a habit to bring my daughter with me, no matter how peacefully she sleeps. ■ Episode 3: The Madame Along the School Route When my eldest son was in the 4th or 5th grades of elementary school. One day, he didn't come home even after the usual return time. Concerned, I traced his school route to check on him (*2). Midway, I found him sitting by the roadside, accompanied by a neatly dressed lady from a nearby large house. After listening to the story, I learned that my son had gotten into an argument with an upperclassman from his school group on his way home. They had ordered him, "You can't go home!" Taking it seriously, he ended up crying and standing there. The lady, who was doing gardening work, noticed him, gave him water to calm down, and listened to his complaints like "I hate school" or "The school route is too far." When I thanked her, the gentle and elegant woman, who was in her late 50s or early 60s, said, "It's okay. My son didn't like school either, so I couldn't leave him alone. However, my child has become an adult now,'' she said with a gentle smile. "I wish someday, when I have the peace of mind, in my life for parenting, I could be like this lady," I thought. (Currently, I haven't become an "elegant madame" yet, but I have become a middle-aged lady called "Oba-Chan with a dog") Apart from her, there were others along the school route, like the watchful volunteer grandpas, who have taken care of my three children quite often. So, I took various opportunities to express my gratitude, and when I was an elementary school PTA member(*3), I would go to the shops and houses along the school route with boxes of sweets, because they watched over the elementary school students, and sometimes they let the kids use the store's bathroom in a toilet pinch. The active and careless eldest son, the quiet second son, and the adventurer's daughter were all able to complete their six years of elementary school days without incident, thanks to the warm vigilance of the local "others.'' ■ Someday, When It's My Turn... Times when I was raising children that I could not afford, I relied heavily on the kindness of others. Now that my children are growing up, I'm beginning to feel that it's almost my turn to be on the watching and helping side (though I can't quite say "I have peace of mind" yet). When I walk my dog every day, several times a year I come across an elementary school student in my neighborhood who has lost his/her keys and is unable to enter the house. I approach them, contact their parents and school, and sometimes wait with them until their parents arrive. I also guide new first-year students who walk alone to school by taking the wrong route, sometimes. When a middle school student fell off their bike in front of my house and I provided first aid, the parent came later with a thank-you gift. Also sometimes, I've taken lost children to service counters at nearby supermarkets or shopping malls, and I've guided elderly or foreign individuals who asked for directions. (I seem approachable, as I'm often asked for directions.) In this way, the small kindnesses from "others" that I once received have turned into a natural way for me to repay the favor in a different form to someone else when it's my turn. Even for someone like me, who was originally shy and reserved, it has become something taken for granted and a natural part of helping others like "ATARIMAE" things. Eighteen years ago, I was a delicate, inexperienced mom, and now, bit by bit, I'm becoming a stable and orthodox middle-aged woman (I also keep candies called "Ame-Chan" on hand like Osaka-madame). It's an era where loneliness is easily felt, but even so, perhaps by gently helping each other as others, supporting each other quietly, and loosely watching over one another, the world keeps turning. 🇯🇵Original post of this article (*1) As of 2024, In Japan, it is not illegal to leave a child alone for short times. However, if a child is involved in an accident, parents may be held legally responsible for their protection or negligence. (*2) In Japan, it's common for children to walk to school on their own. They walk the route determined by the school rules. In some schools, children who live close to each other form groups and go to and from school as a group. School buses are not very common in public elementary schools. (*3) Japanese schools have volunteer organizations called "PTA", that support the school, but it's not well-received by parents. This is because, unlike originated PTAs in the United States, Japanese PTAs often have the image of forced participation and unpaid and meaningless chores. In recent years, some schools have abolished or reformed PTAs.

Japanese TODOFUKEN-Prefectural Kanji [free download!] The added card to the "Kanji List by Grade" is the "TODOFUKEN-Prefectural Kanji -with Furigana." You can download the PDF for free at the end of the document. ■About TODOFUKEN In Japan, there are 47 prefectures called "都道府県" (to-dou-fu-ken). However, unlike the significant authority held by the "states" in the United States, the role of the Japanese prefectures is closer to that of "counties." The history of prefectures dates back to the Meiji era in 1871 when the Meiji government abolished the system of "藩" (han), which were regions ruled by Daimyos (feudal lords) that numbered between 200 and 300 during the Edo period. This was part of the government's efforts to modernize the political system. They gradually integrated and changed administrative divisions. As of now, the prefectures consist of 1 "To" which means 1 capital(Tokyo-to), 1 "Dou" which means multiple countries to 1(Hokkai-do), 2 "Fu" is the 2 centers of a magistrate (Osaka-fu and Kyoto-fu), and 43 "Ken" prefectures (others-ken). ■Kanji study of TODOFUKEN In the curriculum of Japanese elementary schools, 4th-grade students have to memorize the locations, shapes, and names of the prefectures. They have tests and homework where they must provide the names of the prefectures in Kanji characters. The Kanji characters used for the prefectures are numerous, some are complex, and many have unique readings. Even for Japanese elementary school students, memorizing them can be quite challenging. This difficulty is particularly pronounced for children with learning disabilities, and my eldest son, despite memorizing all the prefecture names and their shapes, struggled to write them in Kanji😭. He had to redo tests where he was required to write all 47 prefecture names in Kanji multiple times. So, As a support tool for children with learning disabilities and those preparing for junior high school entrance exams, I have created and shared this "Prefectures Kanji table" on the 🇯🇵Japanese version of my website in Japanese. But, 🇺🇸English version is for anyone interested in Japan and is welcome to make use of it. The features of this "Prefectures Kanji " include: Arrangement of Kanji characters used in prefecture names in 50 sounds "a-i-u-e-o" order. Common color-coded index with the "Kanji list by grade," for easy reference. Designed in a postcard size, making it convenient for reference on study desks. 🇺🇸The English special version has a Furigana(pronunciation key) of the alphabet. Like the Kanji list, it is suitable for various purposes such as homework assistance, reasonable accommodation at school, and Kanji checking for exam preparation. You can adjust and print it in your preferred size for your child's convenience. In total, there are 73 kanji characters used in prefecture names, as indicated when listed. While this may seem challenging at first, upon closer inspection, you'll find that more than half of them are relatively simple Kanji. For context, my eldest son used to say things like, "I like Ishikawa and Yamaguchi! Niigata! Ehime! Okinawa! You three brothers have too many strokes in your names!" while grumbling about his homework. 😅 ■Useful Games for learning Japanese geography and history For those who want to learn more about Japan's geography and historical landmarks on maps in a fun and engaging way, we recommend the following games, as enjoyed by my children. *The link below is the official website of the game company. NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION (by KOEI TECMO GAMES) 🇺🇸 A historical simulation game set primarily in the Sengoku period. Players choose their favorite Sengoku Daimyo, strategize battles and diplomacy, gradually expanding their territory through meticulous planning to achieve national unification. While it may seem a steady-paced game, once you get into it, it fosters a deep love for Japanese history If you fall in love with the game, the geography and former names of provinces across Japan become ingrained in your memory. MOMOTETSU (by KONAMI) 🇯🇵 *Not available in English A board game in the form of a thrilling race across Japan, aiming to become a real estate tycoon, suitable for family or friends (solo play is also okay). This Sugoroku-style game not only features famous landmarks and locations, but also offers an enjoyable way to learn intricate geographic details such as local specialties, traditional crafts, and railway routes from various regions in Japan. It's not just a geography lesson; it doubles as an introduction to economic concepts like stocks and real estate investment. However, be cautious of getting too caught up in the excitement! A global version, "MOMOTETSU World," is also available, and you can find the analog version at toy stores in Japan. ■Tools share [free download!] TODOFUKEN-Prefectural Kanji -with Furigana (PDF,1page) Please read my website terms of use for more information. →[About using support tools] For Japanese children/advanced learners(without Furigana)→🇯🇵[Japanese version] Download 🇯🇵 Original post of this article 🇯🇵 Original post about games

Kanji List by Grade [free download!] This is a kanji list tailored to the learning curriculum for elementary school students in Japan. (The download links are provided at the end of the document.) ■About the Japanese Kanji learning curriculum In Japan, education follows the curriculum recommended by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), with specific learning objectives set for each grade. The Kanji characters taught in elementary school are also designated by grade, and textbooks introduce them gradually, aligning with the curriculum guidelines. Japanese elementary school students aim to master 1,026 kanji characters in six years. This is a challenging task even for native Japanese speakers, and students with learning disabilities (such as dyslexia), developmental disorders, those whose native language is not Japanese, or returnees face particular difficulties in learning kanji. Therefore, I have been creating support tools for Japanese elementary school students and distributing them through a website. However, this time, I have improved them to be more user-friendly for individuals overseas and children from foreign backgrounds. This kanji list is aligned with the latest curriculum guidelines revised in the 2020 academic year in Japan. ■On-Yomi and Kun-Yomi index The index uses the same color coding as the Hiragana chart and is arranged in the order of On-Yomi(Chinese-derived reading) followed by Kun-Yomi (native Japanese reading). While Kanji characters have been transmitted from China since ancient times, Japan had its original language before that, leading to multiple readings of the same kanji. "On-Yomi" represents a pronunciation closer to Chinese, while "Kun-Yomi" reflects a reading closer to the original Japanese language. For example, the Kanji meaning "花" is pronounced as "Ka" in On-Yomi and "Hana" in Kun-Yomi. The usage tends to differ; On-Yomi is often used in combination with other Kanji to form compound words, while Kun-Yomi is commonly used when the Kanji is standalone or combined with Hiragana. However, there are various combinations of On-Yomi and Kun-Yomi in compound words, as well as words where Hiragana is inserted between Kanji characters, resulting in a variety of combinations and pronunciations. My children at home often get confused by these different combinations and readings 😂. We have also made available downloadable kanji lists with furigana (in Katakana/Hiragana, and the Alphabet) prioritizing commonly used readings in the order of On-yomi/Kun-yomi. ■Usage The printouts are designed to be postcard-sized(The kanji list with furigana is designed for A4 size). Punch holes in the corners and secure with rings for convenient portability. Adjust the size as needed for A4/B5 or other formats, print, laminate, or place in a transparent file for use as a substitute for a desk mat. You can also save the images on tablets or smartphones. The basic usage is the same as the Hiragana/Katakana Tables. As a learning resource for those who want to study Japanese! To support the homework and reasonable accommodations for foreign children studying in Japan! For the comprehensive kanji checklists for Japanese children studying abroad for six years! Feel free to use it as you like. [free download!] 🇺🇸 Kanji List by Grade (PDF, 6 pages, postcard size) 🇺🇸 Kanji List by-Grage [with Furigana in Alphabet](A4 size) For Japanese students/advanced learners↓ 🇯🇵 [Japanese version](postcard size) 🇯🇵 [Japanese version with Furigana in Katakana/Hiragana](A4 size) Please read my website terms of use for more information. →[About using support tools] 🇯🇵Original post of this article

Hiragana/Katakana table, and Hiragana/Katakana-Kanji origin table [free download!] Hello. This is Rakurakumom (author name: Misuzu Oba). I work in writing activities and support parenting in Japan. I have launched an English version of my website that provides study materials and support tools for people interested in Japan, Japanese culture, and learning the Japanese language. These resources are also useful for children whose native language is not Japanese and for those with learning disabilities studying in Japan. The website covers various subjects such as study techniques, homework assistance, and tools to support school life. This time, I've created a "Hiragana Table" and "Katakana Table" with the alphabet Furigana (pronunciation keys), in addition to a "Hiragana/Katakana-Kanji origin Table." These are designed in a convenient postcard size for portability, but you can adjust the size to your preference for individual use and convenience on a tablet or smartphone. Now, let me explain each of them. ■Hiragana/Katakana table It is organized in 50 sound characters with color-coded indexes. Hiragana and Katakana are phonograms, and each letter has one pronunciation. (Kanji has multiple readings for one character.) It is a regular combination of the vowel "a-i-u-e-o" and the consonant "k-s-t-n-h-m-y-r-w", and "n". But some letters are also assigned verbal spellings when pronounced by English speakers. The fundamental writing system in Japanese involves a combination of Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana. The distinction between Hiragana and Katakana lies in the fact that Hiragana is often used for connecting particles, expressing sentence endings, and conveying simple or informal language. On the other hand, Katakana is frequently employed for representing foreign words and expressing new concepts. Katakana is extremely useful for using foreign words as they are, but, the distinct pronunciation of English by many Japanese individuals, which may sound peculiar to foreigners, is believed to be influenced by Katakana. Within Japanese circles, if someone's English pronunciation is not fluent, it is sometimes mockingly referred to as "Katakana English." And Japanese has two writing types, ↓vertically and →horizontally. Japanese elementary school Japanese-language textbooks are vertical writing, and the Hiranaga table for Japanese students is also usually presented vertically. Therefore, I have created this chart in a vertical format. Other subjects may use horizontally written textbooks. This Hiragana/Katakana Table includes not only the basic 50 sounds but also Daku-On(voiced sounds), Handaku-On (semi-voiced sounds), and Yo-On(contracted sounds). In Japanese, there is a convention to add two small dots or a circle to specific Hiragana or Katakana characters or write certain characters in a smaller size to indicate a different pronunciation, such as changing Ta to Da, Ha to Pa, or combining Hi and Ya to produce Hya. ...When I reflect on it, even my eldest son, a true-born and raised Japanese, was exasperated during his first year of elementary school, saying, "Ah, Japanese is so confusing! 'Pya Pyu Pyo' makes my eyes spin!" 👀, while he was struggling with his homework. So, I've incorporated color coding to make it easier for those encountering Japanese for the first time to grasp the patterns of Daku-On, Handaku-On, and Yo-On. In recent times, there has been an increase in foreign children attending Japanese elementary and middle schools, and many people from overseas are interested in learning Japanese, influenced by Manga and anime. To accommodate this, I have added alphabet furigana (pronunciation guides). (Given the mix of vertical and horizontal writing, creating this was quite challenging...😂). The small characters written alongside the main text, "Furigana," are commonly used in Japan. This is because there are many Kanji characters with challenging readings, even for native Japanese speakers. Particularly for elementary school students with a multitude of yet-to-be-learned Kanji, elderly individuals, and those with disabilities, Furigana serves as a helpful aid for understanding the text. Furthermore, Furigana is also widely used for the unique and sometimes unconventional readings of Manga dialogue. ■Hiragana/Katakana-Kanji origin table This chart is designed for advanced learners of Japanese and individuals familiar with Chinese characters. It provides a list of Hiragana and Katakana characters along with the original Chinese characters from which they originated. The information about the origin of the characters is based on references such as Japanese 6th-grade elementary school textbooks. The characters in gray indicate cases where the original character is not clearly defined. In Japan, it's commonly known that Hiragana and Katakana originated from Chinese characters during the Heian period (8th to 12th centuries). However, the interesting fact is that they were created differently, so the original Chinese characters from which they were derived are also different (although there are some common characters). In simpler terms, Hiragana can be described as a casual, somewhat careless script derived from breaking down the original Chinese characters into a cursive style (equivalent to cursive writing in English). On the other hand, katakana involves extracting parts of the original Chinese characters and considerably simplifying and abbreviating them. That's the basic distinction between the two.　(*1) Absolutely, the casual and somewhat careless ingenuity and practical shortcuts are crucial for the development of culture! [free download!] 🇺🇸HIragana with Furigana （PDF,2pages） 🇯🇵Hiragana (without Furigana) 🇺🇸Katakana with Furigana （PDF,2pages） 🇯🇵Katakana (without Furigana) Hiragana/Katakana-Kanji origin table（PDF,2pages） Please read my website terms of use for more information. →[About using support tools] info: "Rakurakumom's official website" is also available in English. We would be delighted if families with foreign children living in Japan, teachers, and individuals from around the world interested in the Japanese language and culture could find our website useful. We are gradually enhancing and updating the content, with the assistance of automatic translation and the enthusiasm of my son who loves English. Support tools will also be progressively adapted for translation. 🇯🇵 Original post of this article (*1) There are various theories. The origin of Katakana remains a mystery, and while it is not adopted in Japanese textbooks, there are even theories suggesting a connection with ancient Hebrew characters. For fans, those who enjoy archaeology and occult mysteries, delving into the origins of Katakana might be a "WAKU-WAKU" exciting venture.