Children Full of Life

Children Full of Life

2003, Society  -   128 Comments
8.60
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Ratings: 8.60/10 from 711 users.

Mr. Kanamori, a teacher of a 4th grade class, teaches his students not only how to be students, but how to live. He gives them lessons on teamwork, community, the importance of openness, how to cope, and the harm caused by bullying.

In the award-winning documentary Children Full of Life, a fourth-grade class in a primary school in Kanazawa, northwest of Tokyo, learn lessons about compassion from their homeroom teacher, Toshiro Kanamori.

He instructs each to write their true inner feelings in a letter, and read it aloud in front of the class. By sharing their lives, the children begin to realize the importance of caring for their classmates.

Toshiro is an amazing example of what all teachers across the world should be like. He truly understands what teaching children is all about and certainly made a positive difference in the lives of these 10 year olds.

Directed by: Noboru Kaetsu

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Jean Bush
Jean Bush
3 years ago

Children should always be taught about death as early as possible, from the goldfish found floating in his bowl, to the beloved old dog who died while away at college. Death is everywhere & children can't be shielded from it. Bottling it up inside only brings more destruction of the life down the road.

Ersa
Ersa
3 years ago

God I loved it
I cried while watching this
I wish my teacher and my class were like this
Bot,mostly I wish there will be more and more teachers like him.

khadija
khadija
4 years ago

This documentary was so heartwarming. Especially for the time we have reached as a socity, human connection is close to nothing when it comes to connecting with others around us. All conversations are simple and have no meaning. No emotions are felt. Everyone is just out there looking out for themselves only. Children need to be taught the importance of human connection , feeling emotions and understanding that it's okay to show emotions like sadness.

Sarah
Sarah
4 years ago

How to contact with Mr. Kanamori? I recently watched the documentary on how he taught the children how to live a life with respect and empathy. I have raised a few questions for him so that I wrote a letter to me, unfortunately, I do not know how to contact him.

Terry West
Terry West
4 years ago

In all my 74 years I have held the believe that GOOD teachers mold the children and thus our world, this teacher is a person beyond my wildest hopes! GREAT VIDEO!

Kun
Kun
4 years ago

So inspiring. Thank you so much for this.

Mara Martini
Mara Martini
4 years ago

Mr. Kanamori showed his young students, and me, how to relate to each other with empathy but also the process of getting to a point of empathy and understanding. As an adult and a teacher he also demonstrated that he would listen to young people / students and be proud of their viewpoints. He is a teacher's teacher.

Suresh
Suresh
4 years ago

Amazing, teared up. one of the best moment in life.

HombreLobo
HombreLobo
5 years ago

I teared up when they made the card for the mum of the deceased husband. Breaking all the taboos of talking about one's emotions, sharing their experiences and grieving on past memories makes this a powerful documentary. I am astounded at the emotional intelligence of these students, a testament to Mr. Kanamori's teaching style.

Michael Grøndahl
Michael Grøndahl
5 years ago

Wow! These talks are pretty deep in perspective and meaning for these nine to ten year Olds. It is very brave in my view and I wonder how they are able to open up so readily in the face of the context of one of life’s more sharper corners, let’s say. The kids are showing such depth and vulnerability in class. Wow!

Richard Neva
Richard Neva
5 years ago

I tried teaching 4th grade and used the same tactics and I was fired by the Okemos, Michigan Public Schools! All the children had parents that taught at Michigan State University in East Lansing. I love teaching and the kids loved me and I was hired by people who wanted progressive teachers like me. There was a change of leaders and I was fired.

Leonarda
Leonarda
5 years ago

I wish I had had a teacher like the one in this documentary! Surely these children's lives were changed by this experience. As adults we carry so much of our childhood, without even realising it. Every child should be taught these things. Touching and inspiring documentary

Nouss
Nouss
5 years ago

I love it but I kept thinking about what happened to everyone *-* I still wondering

Rich Schreff
Rich Schreff
5 years ago

This is one of the most powerful stories I've ever seen and heard. My heart is filled with more love to share than ever.
Thank you so much for the purpose of life indeed is joy and we can achieve it thru compassion, knowledge and understanding

yannick
yannick
5 years ago

i don't know how this kind of teaching can be implemented everywhere ,maybe we can start sharing this documentary more.

DustUp
DustUp
6 years ago

Kids and adults used to learn most by observing. Now they are lied to about what they see and don't see. They are easily manipulated by their emotions and egos. Hats off to the teacher who teaches good things rather than emotionalizing them to the socialist-communist new world odor agenda, as is the plan.

The masses are viewed by the banksters and elite much the same as Christopher Columbus viewed the natives of the Caribbean (Arawak), "they would make good servants..."--from the docu Red Cry on this website; and have set out long ago to make that a reality through the "education" (indoctrination) system.

Sally
Sally
6 years ago

Its hard for me to find the words to describe how profound this story is. I think if we as people learn to care for others, help others, be empathetic, learn acceptance, listen, stand up for each other, and be happy there would be much less suffering in the world. This documentary is beautiful......thank you.

Juan
Juan
6 years ago

Kanamori Sensei, I am so moved by your exceptional pedagogic approach and the mastery of how you educate young students the most important lesson in life " empathy". It's amazing to imagine the future of these youngsters as they continue their higher education. They will truly become amazing adults that can change the world without a doubt. It's so Sad that USA and European education systems no longer focus on educating a children to become compassionate human beings, they instead focus on training individuals to become ego-maniacs self-centered and money loving who lack integrity and empathy. Japan has a lot to teach the world !!

Jon K.
Jon K.
6 years ago

This is a great documentary! Something I have been teaching myself, and others for quite some time now, and being an example of in my life. If you don't like how our teachers teach, that's fine. But don't blame them for our children not learning these principles. It is our job as parents, and yes, I am a parent, to instill these values into our children from the start. It is our job to become examples of this for the future generations. It is our job to teach by example, and to BE the CHANGE we wish to SEE in the world.

Jacqueline V.
Jacqueline V.
6 years ago

So Educational .... FOR ALL OF US ! This, IS The Way School should be taught EVERYWHERE !!! Outstanding & Incredible Documentary, THAT should Also Win a Nobel Peace Prize; To the "Life Changer/Instructor".

Brushti Sprinkler
Brushti Sprinkler
6 years ago

Empathy is a hard thing to learn. Good thing these kids have someone to teach 'em.

Zuma
Zuma
6 years ago

Mr. Kanamori San, I was absolutely amazed and touched by your style of teaching to the grade 4 students in Japan. Hats off to you! Actually, this is what exactly His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been promoting for the past few decades and now I can really see the difference it brings! So important for all of us wherever we are. Especially the teachers in the montessori set up to teach, compassion, empathy, sharing, and cooperation in this world. I am so blessed to see your documentary and I hope many people will watch this and try to learn bit by bit. Thank you so much.

C. C. Harrison
C. C. Harrison
6 years ago

Amazing children, amazing teacher. Truly.

Annalisa B
Annalisa B
7 years ago

This video was very interesting. It shows that no matter where you are in school, you should always be happy. The teacher Mr. Kanamori, is being a true role model and making sure everyone is happy because they deserve to be happy. When the students are talking about getting bullied and one student shared that she was bullied before and didnt want to be made fun of again, so she didn't know what to do when someone else was being bullied, Mr. Kanamori told her that they all understood she was upset and tried to make her feel better. Also, when two students father died, he had one of them talk about it and after she shared her story of her father, she felt better knowing that she had people in her class that wanted her to be happy. When they found that another students father died and he didn't come to school, the teacher told them they should try their best to cheer him up because he is going through a rough time. My favorite part of this was when a student got in trouble and couldn't do the rafting activity and then another student stood up for him and all the other classmates said that he should be able to do the rafting. I like this part because it shows that the students all cared for each other. My least favorite part was when everyone was sad and crying. This was a interesting video, I learned about how schools are taught in a different place.

RM
RM
7 years ago

The video wasn't that bad. My favorite part is when everyone was happy. My worst part was when everyone was sad.

amy
amy
7 years ago

I think this documentary is a very powerful demonstration of teaching as a vocation not just a job. If we (assuming we are adults) adopted this level of compassion and thoughtfulness in our daily lives then society as a whole would integrate children into this way of being. We would all benefit and the future generations to come. This documentary and Mr Kanamori's outlook and approach to teaching (and no doubt his own life) is truly an inspiration.

amy
amy
7 years ago

As a teacher I hope I can learn from Mr Kanamori's synthesis of human and academic lessons.

Dušan Trušnovec
Dušan Trušnovec
7 years ago

TZhe deepest respect, I can express ........ Kanamori is a beacon of humanity, we wanna see in a future ....a near future ....

Kama Murray
Kama Murray
7 years ago

A true teacher and leader. What an inspirational and beautiful documentary. I'm so grateful to have seen it. Profound and moving. It is exactly this sort of guidance we need all around the world, in all our schools, if we as a species are to make the most of ourselves and our experience here.

PRAMOD KUMAR
PRAMOD KUMAR
7 years ago

you are great artist and your student is best art

Lindal
Lindal
7 years ago

We have such wonderful teachers here in the USA. I remember when I was asked to make a presentation to my son's 3rd grade class about Poland as I am the daughter of Polish Immigrants. I brought Chleb Zwykly na Zakwasie (Sourdough Rye Bread), Borsche (beet soup) and PÄ…czki (a polish cherry filled donut). I sung a Polish Christmas song, in the polish language. I printed and distributed a translated Polish coloring book describing a short history of the country to each student. While making copies of the coloring book in the copy room the principal of the school came in to review the document. She told me not to copy and distribute the "Catholic" parts. Poland's history IS Roman Catholic.... When the principal left my son's teacher told me print and distribute the Catholic pages. If there was any problem she would deal with it.
Several weeks later my son brought home thank you letters from each child in the class telling me their favorite part of my presentation. I still have those letters as the feelings they convey still touch me...One child was quite impressed with beet soup, one child said he 'loved' my singing. Some signed pages they completed from the coloring book. Nearly all commented on the cherry filled donuts. The the teacher told me she kept an additional copy of the coloring book to help her teach about Poland to future classes. Great teachers do exist here, too!

Valeria
Valeria
7 years ago

I think the way the teacher uses guilt and public shaming is criminal. This is not how you teach to be happy, this is how you pave the way to suicide.

Tommy
Tommy
8 years ago

(02/23/2016) This was an emotional documentary. From tears to smiles and tears again and more smiles. I think more teachers should adopt Mr. Kanamori's style of teaching mixing academics with life challenges. The students are learning to annotate and express their feelings, establish relations, team building, and making important decisions all by Mr. Kanamori. Beautiful!!!

Sushan
Sushan
8 years ago

This is great!! Yes it is very imperative to teach young students, the self-discipline and generousity.

Alley
Alley
8 years ago

It left me in an emotional wreck. This made me dwell in the past very much and brought me up to realize how easy it was to let go of my beloved relative. Some schools don't encourage this type of teaching, and students don't tend to bond altogether. Events such as Point Break offers youths in high school to bond over very trivial matters such as bullying, losing a loved one, and games that require teamwork. This documentary is very eye-opening to students who have never experienced the proximity of having a family at home and at school. It is very interesting and worthwhile.

Divya
Divya
8 years ago

Also, this was very different because I don't wear uniform in school, I don't speak Chinese, and in school we don't play in mud. Lastly, one that was similar was people in are school do get bullied and people do talk about one of there family matters that died.

Divya
Divya
8 years ago

Wow, this video was very touching. I loved when Yuto's friend was standing up from him. Also, how they express there feelings. Everyone in the video was very caring and warm-hearted.

Daisy N
Daisy N
9 years ago

How many times can a 19 years old cry during the span of 40 minutes? I lost count. Childhood is when people are the most easily swayed and influenced - the time when they are molded. Lessons like these help shape them into empathetic friends. I realize something though, children in different cultures react differently to the same lesson. I don't think this certain method of teaching will be very effective in the US, simply because children don't lesson as much.

zedoeee
zedoeee
9 years ago

if only more teachers could be like this!

jonathanjames61
jonathanjames61
9 years ago

I would love to meets Mr Kanamori in person.

Matuvo Namikaze
Matuvo Namikaze
9 years ago

these kids are 9 and 10? the kids, the teacher, the teachings, it almost the work of angels. these kids make me feel pride for my admiration of the Japanese. i cant help but compare American schools with these ones, they should take a tip or two!

i feel like, this shows a bit more careor the people and less for the money, than many other places. like society and its rules aren't only there to make everything more profitable, but to actually help bring people together.

cstore
cstore
9 years ago

We woulld have a much better world if it was filled with these types of teachers. Inspirational.

LukeyD
LukeyD
9 years ago

Amazing teacher wish i had some like that when i was at school

Julie VanBerkel
Julie VanBerkel
9 years ago

An amazing, inspirational teacher. A pleasure to watch!

jarryd
jarryd
9 years ago

who directed this documentary

dtea
dtea
9 years ago

it's staged

31jetjet
31jetjet
9 years ago

I am a big mush ball so I will not watch the movie but I will wish I had a teacher like him from your comments.

Ivana
Ivana
9 years ago

I am sorry, but I do not understand your reaction to this movie. Of course that children should be taught empathy and true friendship but this teacher is forcing children to show emotions all the time and it is mental abuse. All the children in the movie sometimes feel forced to cry. It is not fake, but it is taught and little bit manipulated, so not natural. I see he means well, but he is harming the children. Drama queen. And his methods are way too exadurated when he is dealing with small things like talking during work. I think that the world is becoming a cold place and we are all in need for some warmth, but there are right ways to feel unity and warmth, and there are ways to fake it.

Paul
Paul
9 years ago

I'm speechless, truly amazing man, truly amazing children, that what life is about. I send it to my daughter, she is a 4th grade teacher

Johanne Reynolds
Johanne Reynolds
9 years ago

Awe inspiring, I cried most of the way through this...... alot can be taken from this to teach our own children empathy and to care for others. We as a nation are selfish in our ways, only caring about what affects ourselves. Bullying starts at a very young age these days,as young as 3 as does ignorance ...but I believe this is a " learnt by example trait " .Children are not born to hate they are learning by example and only we as parents can change this !