In Japan, Master Kanamori has become famous and has received an award for the way he treats his class, group 6. Kanamori teaches his children to enjoy life. In addition to appreciating life in all its facets, he teaches children to have empathy for themselves and others. He has them write in a compelling manner in their so-called ‘notebook letters’ about their feelings. They then share these emotions with the others in the class. That connects the children together.
A Japanese lesson
You don’t really expect it in Japan, which is known for its discipline and one-way traffic in education: a classroom with students who move freely and are encouraged to show themselves. Master Konamori encourages just that. When he enters his classroom after a summer vacation, he asks what the purpose of life is. The children shout: ‘Happy!’ That’s what Konamori wants to teach them: to be happy. It is clear to him that happiness and cognition are two different things. Happiness arises when children get to know themselves and learn to empathize with others. He turns his classroom into a community where people can cry and laugh, where children think about what is important in life with themselves and others. Every day three children write in their ‘notebook’ about what they experience and feel. About life itself.
Write about your life
Renn, one of his students, reads about his grandmother’s death. The class listens breathlessly. Konamori thanks him and lets the other children respond who have also dealt with death. It makes a lot of sense. A girl stands up and says that she has known what it means to be dead since she was three years old. Her father died and when she heard Renn tell her story, she felt her old sadness. You see that other students sympathize with her and understand her sadness. When she starts to cry during her story, Konamori sits behind her and when she has finished telling her story, he holds her for a moment to support her. He asks the class to stand and show respect for the fact that finally, after years of keeping the sadness inside, they dare to talk about it. Later she takes the painting her father had made; his last work. She is proud when she talks about it. She laughs and thus brings her father back to life. One day, Konamori has to tell the class that the father of one of the students died that night. Together they come up with a plan to cheer up their classmate and friend. When he comes back to school they offer him letters they have made. Warm words that show real understanding. At the end of the school year, two friends come up with a plan to let this boy’s father know that his son is doing well. They write Japanese characters in the sand. This way his father can read from above that he is doing well.
Looking at yourself
Konamori asks the class to write about bullying, because he understands that some children have become targets of bullying. He makes them answer the question: why do you treat your friend with contempt? Everyone gets to work. After the children have read out their findings, the teacher becomes angry. “You hide behind nice words,” he says. It turns out that everyone writes about the other, no one writes about their own part. He asks them to write again and then Konamori can discuss what each person’s share is. It also turns out that some bullies who have experienced it themselves.
Standing up for each other
The class is divided into groups and they are given the task of building a raft. When it is ready, they can try it out in the pool. We are working hard. However, when the time comes, Konamori reprimands one boy so that he is not allowed to participate in the experiment. The class revolts. It starts with one boy who tries to discuss with his master that he does not think it is fair. Then more follow and eventually the class indicates that no one will participate if this boy is punished like this. Konamori is impressed by the sincerity and the way they stand up for a classmate. He has no choice but to give the green light and cancel the sentence. It is the result of two years in which he taught the children to have empathy for others.
Empathy
Empathy is something that needs to be stimulated. Children are naturally focused on themselves. There is nothing wrong with that, but by allowing children to get to know themselves and then take the step towards others, understanding and solidarity are created. This is how you grow connectedness. This way life gets more shine. Konamori is able to make this happen. Worth a prize!