Preschoolers

Leach, P. (1989). Making little citizens. Book Review of PTC in the New York Times.

I feel that this article is very valuable to all teachers. Although not all teachers will teach Chinese or Japanese students, it is likely that they will come in contact with students who are different than them. Reading this article helps future teachers begin to understand just how different the beliefs of different cultures are and they way they can effect education. In order to successfully educate students teachers must have an understanding of their students backgrounds and beliefs. Once teachers have this understanding, it will be much easier to figure out the best way possible to teach their students in a way that they can relate to.

I think the differences between U.S, China, and Japan are "bigger" because, in my opinion, they go beyond educational differences, and relate to different life beliefs due to culture. The U.S focuses on a more one-on-one setting, while the Japanese feel this is sad. Also, the Japanese feel that the way that the U.S teachers constantly talk to students about feelings is too deep and intrusive. To me this seems like a societal difference. Generally, Japanese people are less open about their feelings than Americans are, which changes the way that teachers should approach them in given situations. I feel that the differences between countries are big, but neither are wrong.