What does “Norms” Mean in the New Course of Study for Kindergartens and in the New Guideline for Nursery Schools?

Abstract

In this paper, we will focus on “norms” in the new Course of Study for Kindergartens (CSK) and in the new Guideline for Nursery Schools (GNS). Our purpose is to clarify the relationship between “norms” in the new CSK and GNS and human relations (a part of the scope of the general curriculum of early childhood education and care in Japan).

It appears from a KH Coder analysis that “norms” in the new CSK and GNS have something to do with “assertion (or to assert),” “compromise” and “the first sign (or to begin).” We can see that the first sign of being conscious of “norms” is regarded in the new CSK and GNS as compromising with others and having self-control.

The new CSK and GNS refer to “friends” as “opponents” who must be compromised with. In other words, the norms or moralities in the new CSK and GNS are seen as “self-repression.” There is a risk that this type of communication might lead children to misunderstand “norms” to mean “self-repression.”