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
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. Tokyo Children’s Garden is a uniquely beautiful and nurturing space for children to grow.
Projects
&
Documentation
Relationships
We believe a trusting and caring relationship between teachers and children is the key to being able to listen to a child’s “100 languages”. By actively listening to each child’s thoughts and showing a genuine interest allows for authentic collaboration and communication within the group.
Documentation
Documentation is written to and for children as a letter from their teachers. Documentation from each teacher gives the children a natural avenue to see different perspectives and allows children to reflect on what they do.
Reflection
With reflection comes excitement, curiosity, joy, questions and sometimes understanding. Within projects, children progress through an ever-evolving spiral of reflection and questions to come to a more sophisticated understanding of their ideas and the world around them.
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!
