On NHK
NHK channel is like the PBS in Japan, airing programs like those shown on New York’s Channel 13. In the mornings, starting at 7 am and in late afternoons, starting at 4 pm there are children’s programs that run consecutively without any commercial interruptions for 2 hours. I don’t care what experts say about television being bad for kids. When you are home all day because it’s pouring rain out and the kids can’t go out or just need to get things done like cook dinner, tv can really save the day.
These 2 hours of NHK shows entertain both Keiji and Arisa at just the hours I need them to entertain themselves. From 8 am – 9 am and from 4 pm – 5 pm are the shows Inai Inai Ba いないいないばあ(Japanese for peek-a-boo) and Okaasan to Issho お母さんといっしょ(translates as “together with mother”) which Arisa loves to watch. She dances when the characters dance and sing, she laughs out loud and claps her hands. Then afterwards there are rows of short 15 minute programs which Keiji enjoys, since he considers Inai Inai Ba and Okaasan to Issho already too young for him. His favorite is Tsukute de Asobo つくってであそぼ (Play by Creating) which shows many easy crafts projects to do using paper or regular household items such as milk cartons, plastic drink bottles, cans, etc. Some of the other programs are Eigo de Asobo えいごであそぼ (Play in English), Nihongo de Asobo にほんごであそぼ (Play in Japanese), Pitagora Switch ピタゴラスィチ (Pythagoras Switch). Keiji’s Japanese speaking skills is really improving from watching these programs. It’s not only the language they are learning, but also the traditional children’s songs, Japanese stories and culture. At least they can become familiar with all these things which I can’t teach them so that they’ll know the same songs, stories and games before they enter nursery school.