Kindergarten Bingo

One of my favorite activities at the countryside kindergarten is playing picture bingo. For some reason, it is terribly exciting.

After a class that included "Animal Bingo," one bright little boy came running down the hall as I was leaving.

Obviously, still puzzled by one of the animals, he asked, "What's a 'walrus'?"

"A walrus is a seiuchi," I explained in Japanese.

He ran off.

A moment later he was back.

"What's a seiuchi?"

"A seiuchi is a walrus."

As I was putting on my shoes in the genkan, he was back again.

"What's a walrus?"

Then it dawned on me. It was the animal that was the issue.

"Ask your mom to show you a picture of a seiuchi when you get home, OK?" and he was off once again.

Last week, we were setting up to play "Food Bingo." The usual buzz was in the air as the kids compared their papers.

One little boy said, "Look, I have wakame [seaweed]," as he pointed to the lettuce.

His friend answered, "I have a shu-cream [cream puff]," as he pointed to the muffin.

They still have a few things to learn.