#Japan #Tokyo #Digital Learning #Itoki Corporation #first graders

Emerging Trends in Japanese First Graders’ Family Life

As the world embraces digital innovation, families with first graders in Japan are witnessing transformative changes in daily life, learning habits, and playtime activities. Itoki Corporation, based in Tokyo, conducted an extensive survey among 1,100 parents of children entering first grade in 2025. The objective was to provide insights into the new realities confronting families, particularly concerning digital engagement and various lifestyle choices around education, play, and extracurricular activities.

Key Findings

The findings of this survey offer a revealing snapshot of how first graders and their families are adapting to modern educational demands and lifestyles.

Digital Engagement at Home

The study emphasized that many first graders spend over an hour daily utilizing digital devices like smartphones and tablets. While this offers significant opportunities for learning, it also raises concerns for parents. The predominant worries include an increase in screen time, often leading to later bedtimes and decreased time for offline activities.

A staggering 29% of parents cited rising screen time on tablets and smartphones as their top concern. Coincidentally, concerns about the rise in time spent watching television and gaming closely followed, with 28.5% of parents acknowledging these issues.

Extracurricular Activities Trends

When it comes to hobbies and learning outside school, sports-related activities dominate, with 37.7% of children participating in sports such as soccer, swimming, and gymnastics. Music lessons hold a significant share too, attracting 23.1% of young learners, indicating a demand for a balanced approach to physical and intellectual development.

It’s interesting to note that children engage in both physical activities and digital play, particularly among boys, who are more likely to spend time on digital games and video content. This dynamic interplay of play styles reveals the evolving nature of childhood activities today.

The Importance of Learning Spaces

As families gear up for entry into primary school, the survey revealed that a considerable emphasis is being placed on learning environments. Notably, 40.4% of families prioritized purchasing a school bag, followed by 12% investing in gadgets like smartphones and tablets, which shows a balance between traditional educational tools and digital aids.

Those who have dedicated learning spaces, such as study desks, often report longer study times—approximately 46% engage in over an hour of study. Homes without designated study areas reported much lower engagement, solidifying the concept that familiarity with learning spaces can influence a child’s capacity to focus and study effectively.

Generational Differences in Learning Styles

Interestingly, younger parents (in their 20s) displayed a higher tendency to incorporate digital learning methods. About 50% reported that their children spend over an hour on homework, utilizing online resources such as YouTube and social media for educational purposes. This indicates a shift toward a more technology-integrated approach to learning.

Financial Insights on Allowances

The survey findings also addressed allowances, revealing that middle children receive the highest amounts compared to their siblings. This might reflect family dynamics where middle children navigate comparisons and expectations from both younger and older siblings.

Analysis

Itoki Corporation’s analysis suggests that the landscape of education and play for first graders is being reshaped by an integration of digital tools and educational content. Families are now leaning towards a combination of traditional and digital learning methods, ensuring that their children have varied and rich learning experiences.

Over the last six decades, Itoki has focused on creating conducive environments for learning and play. With this survey shedding light on current trends, it is evident that the role of environments will continue to evolve, influencing how children learn and interact in this digital age.

The significant takeaways emphasize that families today are rethinking not just the what and how of education, but also the spaces where learning happens. As first graders transition into this new educational era, Itoki remains committed to supporting families by designing innovative learning environments that incorporate both physical and digital aspects, nurturing healthier growth and learning pathways for the children of tomorrow.