Our Mission
Growing Together
Tokyo Children’s Garden is an innovative, Reggio Emilia inspired, bilingual preschool in the heart of Tokyo.
Reggio Emilia Inspired:
Inquiry Based and Child Centered
We founded Tokyo Children’s Garden to offer children the best preschool education. We believe that every child has amazing potential and should have access to a great education; our dream is our approach will bring about change in the wider education system.
As a Reggio Emilia inspired school, we believe that children are capable learners and actively embrace each child’s thoughts and ideas. Through small group projects and in collaboration with their friends and teachers, children can explore different ideas and interests. A combination of dedicated teachers and a small student body ensures that each child can follow through on their interests in an authentic and satisfying way. We equip them with the ability to succeed through practice by showing them mistakes are natural and we can learn from them. Having a growth mindset will be an important assest for them on their lifelong learning journey.
We aim to plant a seed of confidence and happiness that will help develop our students into confident, independent, and compassionate children who care about others. With students of varying ages interacting together, we encourage them to grow in a natural way, learning social skills from each other as one would in a large, extended family.
Our Three Learning Processes
TCG is inspired by Reggio Emilia through a lens of Japanese influence, which filters down to three key learning processes: group learning, social emotional learning and outside learning.
One Day,
a Walk to the Park
Outside Learning Example
A walk to the park is not just about reaching our destination but embracing all the interesting things we find along the way...rocks, insects, letters, textures, smells and sounds!
Kay’s Pizza Restaurant
Group Learning Example
A wonderful example of the power of group learning and how these collaborative experiences can help children hone their interests. Kay was able to realize her dream of opening a pizza restaurant as a culmination of her past projects at TCG.
Empowering Children Through Social-Emotional Learning
Social/Emotional Learning Example
Social emotional learning is the key to help children unlock their own feelings and emotions, helping them to develop meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers.
Respecting Japanese Environment
Being truly Reggio inspired, we celebrate our unique environment by incorporating a Japanese sense of beauty and respect into our daily lives. From simple customs such as saying “itadakimasu” before eating and using zoukin to clean the floors, to celebrating Japanese culture with mochitsuki events and Noh performances, we embrace the best of Japan.
“More Than a Good Ratio”
At Tokyo Children’s Garden, teachers work together and enjoy projects and activities with the children. We enjoy the flexibility of closely following each child’s interests and can delve deeply into small group projects. When visiting Tokyo Children’s Garden, it’s not unusual to find a teacher with a small group of children on the terrace engaged in a project, or in the classroom enjoying art activities…or even to find an empty school as the children and teachers are outside taking a walk in small groups or on a field trip.
Our small group setting promotes an authentic, language rich environment perfect for building friendships and supporting social relationships. There is no typical day at Tokyo Children’s Garden, every day is unique and full of wonder. This is one of the exciting parts of an emergent curriculum, never knowing where the day will take you!
