Some of the Wonderbox materials are created by our own hands.
Kawashima: Also, at Hanamaru Gakkai, I have witnessed that the attitude and involvement of the parents really have a big impact on the growth of their children. If parents do not respect their children's intellectual curiosity and independence, it is difficult for them to grow. I believe that the important thing is to draw out children's own curiosity (=wonder) rather than forcing them to learn this because such knowledge and skills will be useful in the future. By doing so, I believe that in the future, children will create things that adults cannot even imagine, and create a wonderful world with their own hands. That is why Wonder Box has been developed as a teaching material to nurture sensitivity and thinking ability, which are the foundation for living life on one's own terms, through the experience of "feeling, thinking, and creating," rather than acquiring knowledge.
I can't wait for my kids to have their very own "Wonder Box!
Editor: What kind of feedback have you received from children and their parents about the Wonder Box?
Kawashima: I was happy to receive feedback that the children look forward to it so much that they go to see the mailbox several times a day. For the children, the Wonder Box is not about studying, but about playing, and something they want to do. On the other hand, for the parents who use it, it seems to be something they are happy to do. The target age range for Wonder Box is from 4 years old to 4th grade, but some parents of 4th graders said, "I want to keep playing, but what should I do when I reach 5th grade? Some parents of fourth-graders said, "I want to continue, but what should I do in the fifth grade? Parents have praised the program for its ability to develop thinking skills, and for its unique materials and design, which are not available anywhere else (Editor's note: Actually, 4-10 years old is just a guideline, and because the program is non-graded, it is possible to work with students outside the target age range).
Also, this may not be a user's impression, but here's what I found. Originally, the Wonder Box was designed to be just the right amount to finish in your free time after coming home from school or on holidays. However, due to the closure of schools due to the new coronavirus, there were voices such as ...... who finished the Wonder Box in three days after the kit arrived. For this, we immediately recorded and distributed videos of new ways to play the materials through the app. I think another advantage of using digital technology is that we can respond immediately to customer feedback in this way.
