It is natsu yasumi (summer vacation) in Japan. It typically occurs in the third week of July and the whole month of August, lasting about six weeks. It is the longest break from school compared with fuyu yasumi (winter vacation), which lasts about two weeks, from late December to early January, and haru yasumi (spring vacation), which also lasts about two to three weeks, from mid to late March up to the first days of April. It is important to note that summer vacation is a break within a school year, meaning, when students come back to school, they are still in the same grade or level. Unlike in the Philippines, where, after summer vacation, enrollment follows and students move a level higher. In Japan, moving up happens after spring vacation.

Every school holds a closing ceremony on the last day of school just before vacation starts. During this short ceremony, students and teachers, and parents in kindergarten gather in the hall to reflect on the semester and discuss general guidelines and precautions for spending vacations.

In my daughter’s kindergarten, we have Natsu Yasumi no Shiori (Summer Vacation Guide), which contains a review of the just-ended semester and guidelines on spending summer vacations with children. It enumerates information on Kisoku Tadashii Seikatsu (Well-regulated lifestyle), Kenko de Anshin na Seikatsu (Healthy and Safe Living), and Tanoshiku Yutakana Taiken (Fun and Enriching Experiences). Other school-related matters are also included.

Aside from this, we have another paper called Natsu Yasumi no Yakusoku (Summer Vacation Promise). This is a chart where we decide the time to wake up, the time to go to bed, and things that children should follow during the entire summer vacation. Parents should see to it that children follow these promises and if so, they give a sticker, which is also included, and put it on the day. There is a calendar for the whole summer vacation to put a sticker on every day. The following are the “promises” children should follow:

1. Early to bed, early to rise, eat breakfast.
2. Brush teeth after eating.
3. Wash hands and gargle.
4. Wear a cap when playing outside.
5. Help your parents.

The school emphasized feeding the children three times a day with a balanced diet, not skipping meals, and always ensuring the safety of children when going out, as every year, there are a few accidents such as drowning and vehicular accidents involving children.

There is also a space for the children to draw whatever their memory of summer vacation is.

This seems a very simple task, but actually a hard one to follow, because, as we view summer vacation—a time to relax and take a break from the daily challenges and struggles of preparing and going to school with a toddler—we have to continue maintaining a regular daily lifestyle, especially on waking up early and going to bed early. Other tasks are easy as we always feed our children properly and make sure they are safe and growing and developing well.

Personally, I struggle with the number one promise, which is the most important—“Hayane, Hayaoki, Asagohan” (Early to bed, Early to rise, Breakfast), specifically, on the early-to-bed part. I do wake up early but sometimes on weekends, we don’t. It is also hard to put her to bed early on some days, especially weekends, as we tend to just relax and spend time together, cozy in our living room.
“Hayane, Hayaoki, Asagohan” is also emphasized in the elementary school I am working at. I wonder if this is a basic rule most Japanese follow, which is why they are very healthy as known worldwide.

The first day of summer vacation we already failed as we spent the night past 9, the latest the children should go to bed. Therefore, we did not put a sticker on that day. But, the other tasks we were able to follow. I might call her teacher to clarify whether to still put a sticker if only one of the tasks was not followed. Oh, it’s hard but it is very healthy and good for us all.

And this is only for kindergarten.

For elementary and junior high school students, it’s a whole different scenario. Aside from these promises, they have a whole bunch of books and worksheets to complete as their homework. In the Philippines, we only give something like a 10-item homework assignment. But in Japan, it’s an entire book to answer, especially in subjects like Japanese and Math. This is to ensure that students continue their studies while away from school.

It is easy peasy for students who can organize and manage their time, but very hard for students who can’t, and it also, of course, affects parents as well.

What do you think about this summer vacation “promises” and homework culture in Japan? Do you have the same practice in your country?