Hiragana at Home FAQ
Have questions about our program? Check out the FAQ below!
Can you start the program in a different month (than April)?
Yes, you can! Although Hiragana at Home is designed to follow the Japanese school year and start in April, there is no reason why you cannot start the program at any time of year!
Since some of the activities are seasonal and holiday-related, if you start Hiragana at Home at a different time of year, you can skip these specific activities.
If you have already have received the full 3-part series, you can simply start at the point that the program roughly corresponds to that time of year (see the schedule explanation for when this might be).
Each themed unit (such as “animals”, “weather”, etc.) is able to stand independently on its own, so you can start at any point in the program. For more details on how to adjust the program if you are starting at a different time of year, see our How To Teach Hiragana reference page included in the Part 1 digital file, or DM us on Instagram (@theharunahomestead) for info.
What ages can use Hiragana at Home?
Hiragana at Home is a flexible program that can be used with preschoolers of any age.
Activities can be adjusted depending on your child’s level, and children as young as 2 years old who can form basic sentences in their native language(s) may be able to benefit from the program.
Parents of children with speech or other developmental delays may desire to consult a speech therapist or other specialist about what is best for their child and when they might benefit the most before deciding to purchase or use the program.
Can this program be adapted for older children?
Yes, it can! Although the books, music, and activities are geared more toward younger children, there is no reason why Hiragana at Home cannot be used with older children such as kindergarteners! Please don’t hesitate to adjust it as needed for your family.
What daily time commitment is needed to use Hiragana at Home?
This program is geared toward bilingual children who might be learning 2 languages in the home, so it is NOT intended to be time-consuming. In addition, it is not meant to be a “heavy” or “academic” style program.
How much time is required to complete activities will depend on the family, but most days might run under 1 hour per day (less, depending on the child’s age), and there is no need for activities to happen all at once, but instead they can be spread throughout the day if you prefer.
The schedule is flexible, and it is up to YOU as the parent what activities you want to use or skip.
You do not have to read all of the book suggestions, listen to all of the songs, do all of the crafts, or do all of the activities or games. Instead, you can pick what works for your family and your individual child.
One family might choose to spend just 15 minutes a day learning, while others might spend over 1 hour if a child wants to spend extra time on an activity. It is important to follow the child’s pace and passions!
Home education is meant to be adjustable, flexible, and fit to your family and your child’s needs, interests, and age or developmental level.
How long does it take to complete Hiragana at Home?
Hiragana at Home is designed to follow the Japanese school year, which starts in April and ends in late March of the following year. However, it can be adjusted to follow any school year schedule.
The Japanese school year covers more school days than the American or British school years, but you can skip lesson days or activities as needed or desired.
Will there be a Year 2 program?
We are considering making a follow-up Year 2 preschool program that focuses specifically on Katakana (with some Hiragana review).
What does the program include?
Part 1 of 3 of Hiragana at Home includes over 100 pages of content, including...
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- A list of recommended books that you can borrow from the library or purchase online
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- A list of recommended supplies (many can be purchased at a 100 yen shop / dollar store, or thrifted)
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- A one year schedule overview that you can adjust to your family’s needs
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- Links to suggested songs (the Spring Release features 142 song links, and Parts 2 & 3 will contain additional links)
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- Reference pages with tips on how to teach, and tips for non-native speakers
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- Lesson plans, including activity and craft ideas, and more!
Part 2 has also been released, and Part 3 will be published on or before January 9th, 2024.
How much does it cost?
Hiragana at Home will include lesson plans, as well as reference pages, a booklist, and more, released in 3 parts. The total for all 3 parts (one year of lessons) is 50$ USD.
We are offering a HUGE (temporary) discount in early January 2024.
Parts 1 & 2 are now live!
For details on the January Part 3 release sale, check out our blog for a discount code!