Before and After - A 2 Year Old's Journey (Caterpillar Class)

Hisaya International Preschool • January 8, 2025

Hisaya International Preschool's CATERPILLAR CLASS is the very beginning of many children's school lives. It's a time of many firsts.

Hisaya International Preschool's CATERPILLAR CLASS is the very beginning of many children's school lives. It's a time of many firsts. For many children it is the first time in a classroom. The first time they have a teacher and classmates. The first time they are independent from mom and dad. Children who first join CATERPILLAR CLASS are generally ages 2 – 3. If your child speaks little to no English and is still potty training, this is the class for you!

For many children it is the first time in a classroom. The first time they have a teacher and classmates. The first time they are independent from mom and dad. Children who first join CATERPILLAR CLASS are generally ages 2 – 3. If your child speaks little to no English and is still potty training, this is the class for you!

Let's take a look at some examples of what a child can typically do when they begin the CATERPILLAR CLASS and how their skills grow by the time they are ready to graduate to the next level.

An incoming CATERPILLAR	A graduating CATERPILLAR
I get sad when separating from Mommy and Daddy in the morning.	I'm happy coming to school.
I can't express myself very well using words.	I use English to communicate with my friends and teachers.
I need help putting on and taking off my shoes.	I can put on and take off shoes by myself.
I need help setting up lunch and feeding myself.	I can use a spoon and fork, and clean up after myself.
I need help carrying and unpacking my bag.	I can put my things where they belong and carry my bag myself.
I only want to do what I want to do.	I can follow my teacher's instructions.

For new students, It is normal to experience some separation anxiety and get a little sad in the morning when they are dropped off at school. This is a normal part of a child's development. After coming to school for a month or so, children learn that coming to school is enjoyable because they can learn new things from their teachers and make new friends. After a few weeks, most children can't wait to come to school!

Upon first entering the CATERPILLAR CLASS, most children usually have very little English-speaking ability. This is especially true for Japanese families and other families where English is not the language used at home.

After being immersed in an English-speaking classroom, soon many CATERPILLAR CLASS students are eager to speak English with their teachers and friends. They learn new English vocabulary to make simple sentences and to answer simple questions. This gives them the tools and opportunities to experience English with confidence and joy.

At such a young age, most children who first start in the CATERPILLAR CLASS are not accustomed to doing things on their own. They're very reliant on their teacher for help. However, they gain independence and enjoy doing tasks on their own. Over time, they learn what is expected of them, not only at school, but also in many areas outside of school. For example, they learn basic practices to tend to their own needs. This includes, but is not limited to, putting on and taking off shoes, preparing for lunch and feeding one's self, carrying one's own bag, and asking for help.

Over the course of the school year it is AMAZING to see how much our students change. When they start they often lack a lot of basic skills they will need to be successful at school. But by the end of the year they become EXPERTS in many skills and are ready for the challenges of the next level.

Quiz:

What is the most common reason 2 year olds pull off their own shoes?

Defiance
It's fun!!
The shoe doesn't fit properly
They were trained to

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Before and After - A 3 Year Old's Journey (Grasshopper Class)

By Hisaya International Preschool • April 1, 2025

The GRASSHOPPER CLASS is also a class of many firsts for your child. It’s the first time for many students to use pencils and write their name in English. It's also the first mentorship opportunity for many students. Grasshopper students help mentor younger Caterpillar students learn simple tasks.

Before and After - a 5 or 6 Year Old's Journey (Porcupine Class)

By Hisaya International Preschool • January 30, 2025

Building on the skills children learn in the Grasshopper class, the BUTTERFLY CLASS is the next stage in your child’s preschool journey.

Before and After - A 4 or 5 Year Old's Journey (Butterfly Class)

By Hisaya International Preschool • October 19, 2024

Building on the skills children learn in the Grasshopper class, the BUTTERFLY CLASS is the next stage in your child’s preschool journey. The BUTTERFLY CLASS uses all the skills learned in prior levels to help children reach the next stages of their academic, and social development.