A Visit to Haneda Airport: Pilot and Airport Job Training
Preschool
August 21, 2019
Mountain class’s Job Training theme for July was “Pilot.”
After making airplanes and learning about pilots, we expanded the theme to airports and role-played the journey from security screening to departure.
To bring our Job Training learning together, we finally visited Haneda Airport.
The airport is about 35 minutes from school. Traveling together by bus was exciting in itself. Children pointed out places near their homes—“There is my house!”—and compared the expressway journey to a roller coaster.
At the airport, we split into two groups for a treasure hunt to find specified facilities. During lessons, we had used airport maps to learn that airports contain places such as a post office, police box, barber shop and bank. Finding them in a busy airport was more challenging, but that made each discovery feel especially rewarding.
We also found the security checkpoint we had practiced in our role-play and watched baggage being screened from a distance. Remembering the lesson, one child said, “I can’t take my drink bottle,” referring to liquids. (The original lesson noted that, on domestic flights, opened drinks could be brought through after inspection.) Once again, we could see how stimulating it was for children to experience in real life what they had learned at school.
The groups then reunited and went to the observation deck to watch—and hear—the planes taking off and landing.
When we normally look up at planes in the sky, they tend to appear much the same size. From the observation deck, however, an approaching plane first appeared as a distant point of light, then gradually took on a clear airplane shape as it came closer. That is an experience unique to being at the airport.
Some children were tired enough to fall asleep on the bus home, but it had been a very enjoyable hands-on lesson.
After making airplanes and learning about pilots, we expanded the theme to airports and role-played the journey from security screening to departure.
To bring our Job Training learning together, we finally visited Haneda Airport.
The airport is about 35 minutes from school. Traveling together by bus was exciting in itself. Children pointed out places near their homes—“There is my house!”—and compared the expressway journey to a roller coaster.
At the airport, we split into two groups for a treasure hunt to find specified facilities. During lessons, we had used airport maps to learn that airports contain places such as a post office, police box, barber shop and bank. Finding them in a busy airport was more challenging, but that made each discovery feel especially rewarding.
We also found the security checkpoint we had practiced in our role-play and watched baggage being screened from a distance. Remembering the lesson, one child said, “I can’t take my drink bottle,” referring to liquids. (The original lesson noted that, on domestic flights, opened drinks could be brought through after inspection.) Once again, we could see how stimulating it was for children to experience in real life what they had learned at school.
The groups then reunited and went to the observation deck to watch—and hear—the planes taking off and landing.
When we normally look up at planes in the sky, they tend to appear much the same size. From the observation deck, however, an approaching plane first appeared as a distant point of light, then gradually took on a clear airplane shape as it came closer. That is an experience unique to being at the airport.
Some children were tired enough to fall asleep on the bus home, but it had been a very enjoyable hands-on lesson.
Author Profile
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Reiko - Services and Community Coordinator (Japan)
Reiko joined CGK as an opening staff member after working in licensed nursery care in Japan and two international preschools, alongside volunteering at a daycare in Canada. These cross-cultural experiences shape her approach to supporting children. She values opportunities for learners to discover their interests and strengths, express themselves and broaden their possibilities through meaningful experiences.