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YGK's Blog

Time spent at YGK
will be a lifetime treasure

The World Seen by Children

One day at YMCA Global Kindergarten, two friends were talking over a world map.

 

“I wonder where Canada is…”

Hmm, I see.  They are looking for Canada where S sensei left for.

“You know what? Canada is sooo far away that we fall asleep.”

“Then, S sensei must have fallen asleep.”

As they had trouble finding Canada, a class teacher helped them find it.

“Oh, here is Canada!”

“Where is S sensei? Hmm… she is not here.”

Exactly… she is not in a book… 😉

“I know!  She is still in the airport!”

“I see!! That's why she is not in Canada yet. I want to go to Canada one day.”

“Me, too.  I want to visit Canada someday.”

 

They were staring at Canada for quite a while.

 

 

 

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Aiming for Better Education -YGK Teacher Workshop-

At YMCA Global Kindergarten, we often say that we are aiming for high-quality education in the true sense.  What do we mean by “a high-quality education in the true sense”?  Helping children succeed academically? Helping them grow as a bilingual speaker?  

 

We believe a high quality education is something that helps children become able to grow as an independent individual who can take actions for others.

To make this happen, we adults have to be good observers, listeners and co-workers of children.  As early childhood educators, our belief is that we need to keep studying and updating ourselves continuously for the sake of children.  To achieve this goal, we had a workshop with all the teachers of YGK, including YGK Joey class and YGK Science Club.

To be an observant and attentive listener is not easy.  It is even quite challenging at times because this is something new and unfamiliar for most of us .  We set “observation and pedagogical documentation” as the theme of our workshop this time.  We practiced observation and made documentation in small groups.  It helped deepen our thoughts and made us realize that each person has their own point of view.

We would like to keep moving forward to become a better version of ourselves.

 

Check our Facebook and Instagram pages for further information!

 

We had a Fantastic Family Picnic

We had such a great time where all classes got together including their parents.
We enjoyed activities under the open sky. The children especially loved nature bingo. They were so into collecting the listed objects.
Thank you for this great and memorable day!
 
If you want to know more about us, please visit our official Instagram and Facebook pages as well!
 
 

Facing Our Emotions

At YGK, we try to be open to and accept children’s emotions and opinions. When a child feels frustrated, unhappy or grumpy, instead of suppressing their emotions or distracting their minds, we encourage them to verbalize what is inside them. Children are on the stage of learning to control or manage their emotions. We believe that it is quite important for children to realize their own emotions as the very first step. They might find it challenging at first. When communicating with friends, they may end up starting a quarrel or using their physical power at times as they still have not acquired enough vocabulary or emotion control skills. At those times, what we try to do is to listen to both or all related children about what had happened and what their feelings were instead of judging them superficially. We believe that there should be reasons behind their actions. We may be able to make them say sorry. However, it doesn’t work in a true sense unless they deeply understand what was wrong or how they could have solved their problems. We, adults, need to trust them deeply and watch over them.
Children are learning many things from every encounter with people, things, etc. in their daily lives. We believe that the best thing we can do is to trust their inborn strengths and abilities to grow. We are responsible for their holistic growths. We would like to keep loving and caring for each child as our own.
 
 
 
 

The Adult Role

 

Children are learning various things daily through many encounters with people, objects, incidents, etc.  These encounters are not always happy but can be frustrating, challenging or even hurting.

We, adults, are here not to remove every single possible risk or difficulty for children but to control the quality and quantity of risks and barriers so that children can develop their ability to foresee the possible dangers and overcome the difficulties by themselves.

We all know that life has ups and downs. There are times when we feel discouraged or unsafe. Risks are inevitable. Therefore, instead of keeping all the risks away from the children, we stay with them as they face each challenge and wait for the right timing to give them a hand only when they truly need it.  We all believe that each and every child is capable and full of potential.

 

Children are Geniuses of Play

The K2 class's children of YMCA Global Kindergarten are sitting around a tiny mud pool and talking in a serious manner. Hmm, let's listen to them.
 
"Let's make mint chocolate."
"Mint chocolate for sale! Do you want some?"
"Let me drop a piece of candy in the chocolate."
"Ohhh, the ship crashed into the wall."
"Let me stir. Stay back as it may splash on you!"
"Stir it gently so that it won't splash."
"You need a ticket to join in. Here's your ticket. (Passing a leaf)"
 
Their conversations keep on going freely.
A very tiny mud pool turns into various things as their imagination expands.
 
When we stop and observe closely what they are talking about or doing, we are amazed at how creative, flexible and open-minded they are.
Children are living each day to the fullest.
 
 

Puppy Class's First Adventure

 

Approximately two weeks have passed since the Puppy friends joined YGK.  They are getting used to their daily routine.

They had their very first walk outside the YMCA.  Although it was a very short walk around the YMCA building, they found treasures and discovered new things along the way.  First, they found yellow dandelion flowers and white fluffs.  They were so amazed at how cute the flowers and fluff are.  After we picked flowers and fluffs, we continued our journey.

Huh?  We are here but we can see ourselves over there as well!  We found ourselves in the mirror!  Hello!!

Sniff, sniff…  Something smells yummy!  There was a lunch vendor selling tasty lunch boxes on the roadside.  They started a conversation, “I want to eat one.” “Oh, no you can’t.  Remember?  YOU have your own lunch in the classroom!”

As we went on, there was a parking lot in a building.  When they said, “Wah!”, their voices echoed, waaaann…  Hmm, this is fun!  They tried many times.  Seeing that, people started saying hi and waving their hands to us.

It was a short and small but quite an adventurous trip for the Puppy friends.  It was so exciting and fun!  Let’s have another adventurous trip next time!

 

What We Value for Children's Healthy Growth

We believe that process is more important than goals for young learners.

It may look like their growth is slow or  expectations cannot be seen yet.

However, we would like to stress that children’s growth cannot be measured in a straight line distance.

It may seem time-consuming to take a long way around.  But there are things that we can discover along the way.  They may have a richer experience from their detour.  Every single experience is nutritious for the children's whole being.

As childhood is the basis of a person’s growth, we want them to enjoy exploring their paths; they can walk, run, skip or trip at times at their own pace.  We would like to offer them a place where they can freely enjoy exploring the world around them.  We, adults, are  learning many things from the children and are renewed daily.

Let’s fully enjoy the moments.  

 

Spring is a time for farewell and encounters

Spring is a time for farewell and new encounters.
Last month, our beloved students graduated from YMCA Global Kindergarten and stepped into a wider world.
Although it is a sad thing that we cannot meet and talk with each other as often as we used to, we know that we are still a YGK family and we will meet with each other again.
Not only that, we know that departing from one place means moving into a new and a wider world.
We are always wishing for each and every one’s happiness and new encounters.
Hooray! Cub friends!
 
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New School Year Begins!

New school year begins!

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the Yokohama Park as if they are rejoicing everyone's entrance and promotion.

We are excited to see our new friends very soon.

May this school year be happy, fun-filled and fruitful one!

 

YMCA Global Kindergarten