On January 16th (Thursday), Director Sugimoto of Shokoji Nursery Yoshidamachi gave a lecture to 16 sixth graders from Daini Zuiko Elementary School in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. The theme was "Learn about the diverse cultures and lifestyles in the world and create an opportunity to broaden your perspective." The purpose of the lecture was also to provide an opportunity for the students to learn about the current situation in developing countries and think about what they can do.
"Overseas experience x early childhood education: Learning led by Director Sugimoto's initiative"
In his lecture, Director Sugimoto introduced the different culture and lifestyle from Japan from the perspective of "food, clothing, and shelter," while sharing stories from his two years as a JICA Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer. During his time there, he worked as an early childhood educator in cooperation with staff and educational institutions (similar to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan), and held training sessions to promote emotional education (arts, music, and physical education) and improve the curriculum, aiming to improve the quality of education.
One of the great charms of Director Sugimoto is his attitude of "studying abroad, bringing back to his own school what he experienced and sharing it with others." He did not simply accept the environment he was given, but acted positively and overcame various difficulties, and from his stories of overcoming these difficulties, not only the children but also us adults could learn a lot.
"Questioning what is taken for granted opens the door to new horizons"
The children listened attentively, and were surprised but also very interested in the differences with Japan, asking questions such as "Why do power outages and water outages happen so often?", "Why are schools closed when it rains?", and "The language is French. I never knew there were African countries that speak French!" They also seemed to get a real feel for the cultural differences, as greetings are not bows like in Japan, but hugs and handshakes.
At the end of the lecture, Director Sugimoto emphasized that "what is natural to you is not natural to others." This is also true in Japan, and he concluded with the message that activities begin with first accepting and respecting the way of thinking and culture of others.
These words are filled with the positive attitude of "enjoying differences" that was cultivated in the field overseas. By simply changing your perspective even in your daily life, the world that unfolds before your eyes can feel much more diverse - I think I was able to convey this importance to the children.
"Creating a warm workplace through friendly and caring childcare"
Shokoji's "kind-hearted, kind-spoken childcare" (childcare that values the heart and autonomy and develops the ability to think and act independently) is also the foundation for accepting "differences." Even within Japan, there are diverse values, and each child has a different personality. That's why first accepting them with a smile and dealing with them carefully while respecting their autonomy creates a sense of security, which then becomes an opportunity to expand the children's potential.
From Director Sugimoto's experiences abroad, we can sense his "ability to step into the unknown without fear" and his "positive attitude of getting everyone involved." This attitude of the director not only has a big impact on the children, but also deepens the relationships between the staff involved in childcare. Everyone shares their opinions, incorporates various perspectives, and works together to create a better environment - it is precisely because of this culture that the childcare staff can take on new challenges with confidence.
"Turning differences into learning, and moving towards the future together with our children"
This lecture was an opportunity to once again feel the importance of knowing and accepting the diversity of the world. "Encountering new cultures also leads to personal growth" -- I think many of the children were captivated by Director Sugimoto's passionate talk, which made them realize this.
At Shokoji, we continue to seek out ways to improve our childcare by providing "kind, friendly care," that is, by supporting children's infinite potential and respecting each other's individuality and ideas. We believe that the way we interact with children in this environment, turning differences into learning and moving forward together with them with an eye toward the future, will greatly nurture their hearts.
If you read this blog and feel that "it's wonderful to have an attitude of accepting different cultures and diversity" or "I want to provide childcare while valuing a friendly face and kind words," then you may sympathize with the philosophy of Director Sugimoto and the Shokoji Nursery School.
Director Sugimoto's experience should be a guidepost for those involved in childcare, as well as those looking for a place where they can grow together with children. We too would like to come into contact with diverse values in our daily childcare, enjoy our differences, and build a future together.
Thank you, Sugimoto Sensei!
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