A Child’s Ability Is Determined by Age 9

【A new educational method backed by neuroscience and 40 years of real results】
◎Dramatically raise a grade-point average.

◎Get accepted into the University of Tokyo and other top medical schools on the first try!

◎The growing popularity of Japan’s first “integration schools”

◎40 years of fostering actual results for over 50,000 people

◎The MaiPaso computer competition made “top group in Japan” 8 years in a row

◎Top prize in the Japan Kanji Aptitude Test

◎Winning the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition

And more
 
Hiroyuki Okubo, who has worked in a variety of professions including head of Ibaraki Prefecture’s Board of Education, discovered something extremely important in his 40 years of helping 50,000 students achieve real results, and through his experience applying neuroscience to education. That is the importance of education up to the age of 9, which defies the conventional wisdom of the education world. Making a proper switch in educational methods at age 9 can determine a child’s success. But why age 9?
 

The period of time when the brain is “growing,” deemed the “critical period,” is understood to be at age 9. Age 9 is when brain capacity expands, and the “soil” improves, so to speak. From age 10, this soil is nourished and fed by knowledge. This process allows children to grow naturally and parents to support their children without stress. It can influence a child’s future profession, annual salary and overall level of happiness.
 

Currently, however,  learning and teaching styles make an abrupt change at age 6. That is when children are entering elementary school. From age 6, children are moved abruptly from the experience-based learning environment of preschool and nursery school to a classroom setting.  Parents may not realize how much stress this puts on their kids.
 

In recent years, many kids are becoming introverts as they move from elementary school to an environment where they are suddenly expected to work and study hard. This is not unrelated to Japan’s recent “first-grade problem.”

Wanting to do something about this, author Okubo established Japan’s first nationwide integration school for children, where education styles are separated at age 9. The results have been largely better than anticipated.

It quickly grew into a reputable school, trusted by parents all over the country. A number of important people in the world of education, including former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Takeo Kawamura have visited the school to observe.

This book provides concrete information on how families can implement this new style of education. Education after age 10 is also covered in detail.

“I want to foster the abilities of as many Japanese children as possible. I want children in Japan to live happy lives.” – Hiroyuki Okubo

Children are steadily growing both physically and mentally. This book introduces the key to providing children and their families with fulfilling lives.

Chapter 1        Ability is determined during the critical period of age 9!

◎The brain is programmed to an “ideal development process”

◎The IQ of an 8- and 18-year-old are the same

Chapter 2        Skills that match the brain’s “development program”

◎The 6 multiple intelligences

◎Why do MBA elite use conventional products?

Chapter 3        4 ways to increase academic ability at home!

◎What is needed to stimulate the brain?

◎Soccer and swimming promote child development

Chapter 4        Foster human intelligence and strengthen the soul

◎The importance of “noncognitive skills,” as mentioned by Nobel Prize winner James Heckman

◎Leadership experience expands human intelligence to that of a 20-year-old

Chapter 5       

◎Proper sleep alone will increase IQ by 10 points

◎ If you say “I’m busy, I’ll help you later,” be sure to follow up with “I can help you now”

When I walked into the kindergarten and elementary schools where Mr. Okubo was the principal, I remember thinking they were unlike any other schools I’d ever seen. The whole building was full of energy; children were greeting us with such loud voices I couldn’t help but smile. What a lovely atmosphere! All the children seemed to be enjoying the classes as well. It was so different from what I remembered as a kid.  

It isn’t that school itself is important. What I learned from speaking with Mr. Okubo is that children want to grow up. If we help them develop their abilities before age 9, whether at home or at school, any child can be a star.

This book explains how Mr. Okubo’s teaching methods can be applied at home. He hopes to help every child grow into the best version of themselves.

This book is very beneficial. It makes raising children easier, lowering the burden on parents. Healthy and happy children turn a parent’s worries into fun. Recommend this book to a friend when you finish reading it yourself!