Pilot and Airport Job Training: Ready for Departure!
Preschool
August 10, 2019
Mountain class’s Job Training theme for July is “Pilot.”
After making airplanes and learning about pilots, we expanded our topic to airports.
In preparation for our planned visit to Haneda Airport in August, the children used airport maps in English lessons to play group games searching for different symbols.
During Japanese lessons, we role-played the process from the ticket counter to departure procedures.
I (Reiko) wore a white shirt, vest and scarf to look a little more like an airport employee.
Each group chose a destination, received passports and began preparing for departure.
At the ticket counter, the children stated their destination and received airline tickets. When I used a more formal tone than usual to ask, “You’re departing for the United States, is that correct?”, they answered “Yes” with a mixture of nervousness and shyness.
After receiving their tickets, they moved to the security checkpoint for baggage and personal screening.
Beforehand, each child had chosen one item from a selection including scissors, a spray can, a stuffed toy, snacks and a drink, and put it in their bag.
They sent their bags through our handmade cardboard screening machine. An alarm sounded if an item in the role-play was not allowed on board.
We removed the item and explained, “I’m sorry, this item cannot be taken into the cabin.” We then thought together about the reasons—for example, scissors can be dangerous and spray cans may present an explosion risk.
After the baggage check came personal screening.
We used a horizontal bar to represent a walk-through metal detector. Adding realistic possibilities, such as an alarm and an additional check before walking through again, delighted the children. Soon it felt like a game of whether they could pass the screening, and getting through on the first try prompted enthusiastic cheers!
Finally, we stamped their passports for departure. They boarded our pretend airplane with a cheerful “We’re off!” to finish the role-play. One child even said, “Spain was so much fun!” It was an enjoyable lesson.
We hope this experience will inspire the children to expand their own play.
After making airplanes and learning about pilots, we expanded our topic to airports.
In preparation for our planned visit to Haneda Airport in August, the children used airport maps in English lessons to play group games searching for different symbols.
During Japanese lessons, we role-played the process from the ticket counter to departure procedures.
I (Reiko) wore a white shirt, vest and scarf to look a little more like an airport employee.
Each group chose a destination, received passports and began preparing for departure.
At the ticket counter, the children stated their destination and received airline tickets. When I used a more formal tone than usual to ask, “You’re departing for the United States, is that correct?”, they answered “Yes” with a mixture of nervousness and shyness.
After receiving their tickets, they moved to the security checkpoint for baggage and personal screening.
Beforehand, each child had chosen one item from a selection including scissors, a spray can, a stuffed toy, snacks and a drink, and put it in their bag.
They sent their bags through our handmade cardboard screening machine. An alarm sounded if an item in the role-play was not allowed on board.
We removed the item and explained, “I’m sorry, this item cannot be taken into the cabin.” We then thought together about the reasons—for example, scissors can be dangerous and spray cans may present an explosion risk.
After the baggage check came personal screening.
We used a horizontal bar to represent a walk-through metal detector. Adding realistic possibilities, such as an alarm and an additional check before walking through again, delighted the children. Soon it felt like a game of whether they could pass the screening, and getting through on the first try prompted enthusiastic cheers!
Finally, we stamped their passports for departure. They boarded our pretend airplane with a cheerful “We’re off!” to finish the role-play. One child even said, “Spain was so much fun!” It was an enjoyable lesson.
We hope this experience will inspire the children to expand their own play.
Author Profile
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Reiko - Services and Community Coordinator Japan
Reiko joined CGK’s founding team in 2016, bringing seven years of experience in licensed nursery schools in Japan and six years across two international preschools. She has also volunteered at a daycare in Canada and has held preschool leadership roles at CGK, including Principal and Vice Principal.
A qualified nursery teacher and holder of a Class 2 kindergarten teaching license in Japan, Reiko values each child’s interests and strengths. Drawing on her experience in multicultural early childhood settings, she supports an environment where children can explore new interests through hands-on experiences and express themselves in their own way.