Abstract:This paper attempts to clarify the misunderstanding related to "the 10 images of 5-year-old children displaying their competencies" seen in books published by private publications (not by the government office). The national curriculum (Course of Study for Kindergarten, National Guidelines for Care and Education at Day Nursery, and Course of Study and Care for Preschool) clearly states that the 10 images are 5-year-olds displaying three competencies (basic knowledge and skills; basic

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... inking, judgement, and expression; and social and emotional skills). According to child-carers (Hoiku-Sha: teachers of kindergarten, day nursery, and preschool) who foster children in the right way, the 10 images of 5-year-olds should be used to reflect on the practices in kindergarten, day nursery, and preschool, but are often misunderstood and depicted in private publications as the correspondence between 10 skills/abilities and the practice associated with each skill development.