On the weekend of Father's Day in Japan (celebrated on the third Sunday of June), a classroom in Japan is filled with the sounds of laughter and the quiet focus of children learning to express love. On June 15, Tzu Chi Mandarin and Humanistic Culture Class in Japan held a special parent-child activity centered on gratitude and filial piety. The event was a journey of humanistic education, designed to plant seeds of appreciation in the children's hearts through engaging and memorable experiences.

A Test of Laughter and Love

The day's activities began with a lively game called the "Father-Child Challenge," hosted by teacher Chia-Jung Lin (林佳蓉). Four father-child pairs took on the challenge to answer questions like, "What is Dad's favorite color?" and "What is your favorite thing to do together?"

The answers often brought waves of laughter from the audience. One child confidently declared his father's favorite color was black, only for his dad to reveal it was actually red. Another student innocently shared the phrases his father says most often: "'Good boy,' 'Keep it up!' and 'Hurry up!'" While the answers didn't always match, the lighthearted moments revealed the genuine and endearing nature of their family bonds.

Gratitude in Every Gesture

Before the game, teacher Shih-Ping Chen (陳詩萍) led the children in learning the sign language for the song Gratitude. With focused expressions, their small hands formed gestures for each word, conveying thanks to their parents, teachers, and friends. The simple yet profound movements brought a Jing Si Aphorism to life:

"Gratitude is the starting point of happiness."

The theme for the day's Jing Si Aphorism teaching was, "Making parents happy and at ease is filial piety." The teachers used stories and questions to guide the students in thinking about what "filial piety" truly means. One child shared that he gives his dad a back massage every day, while another mentioned helping her mom with the laundry and preparing meals. These small, everyday acts are powerful demonstrations of love in action, showing that the children are learning to express their appreciation through their deeds.

A Card Full of Love

The event concluded with its most touching moment, as the children presented their fathers with handmade cards. The cards were filled with childlike handwriting, earnest drawings, and words of thanks. Some children hugged their fathers as they handed over their creations, while others shyly asked their mothers to deliver the precious gifts.

As the fathers received the cards, their reactions spoke volumes. Some gently stroked their child's head, while others' eyes quietly welled up with emotion. In that moment, the classroom was filled with a silent but deeply moving tenderness, a testament to the powerful connection between parent and child.

The Tzu Chi Japan humanistic culture class is dedicated to integrating the wisdom of Jing Si Aphorisms into life education. Through such interactive and emotionally resonant activities, children learn more than just Mandarin; they learn to observe, to feel, and to be grateful. This year's Father's Day event was not just a festive gathering but a quiet life lesson, allowing love to flow and flourish within each family.

Written by Shu-Hui Chen (陳書慧)

Source: 手語與笑聲中感受父愛 日本分會人文教室