— A Note from the New Kindergarten Manager

Yesterday morning, we held our monthly childcare event—the final one of this school year. The children, brimming with excitement, participated with great enthusiasm. And most importantly, I’m delighted to report that everything concluded safely, with not a single scratch or bruise. A true success!

Now, let’s talk about the highlight of the event. Picture this—a childcare teacher with a hairstyle reminiscent of Mimura from Moomin, standing center stage. With the flair of a seasoned Yoshimoto comedian, she captivated the little audience. Then, the grand entrance—two oni, one red and one blue, burst onto the scene, performing a comedic skit filled with humor and energy. Their dramatic yet lighthearted act seemed to drive away all bad spirits, and not just the children—even infants, parents, and, I must admit, myself—were completely drawn into their performance.

One of the stars of the show is a veteran with 20 years of childcare experience. Yet, despite her expertise, she and our vice-principal rehearsed tirelessly, again and again, refining every move and every line. Their hard work paid off, transforming what could have been a simple skit into a truly special moment for everyone present.

At Suwa Kindergarten, our staff members are not just educators—they are performers, storytellers, and creators of magic. If you ever have the chance, we invite you to experience this unique atmosphere for yourself. We would love to welcome you!

昨日の午前中、未就園児の親子教室「さくらんぼ」が開催されました。

参加された親子の皆さんも楽しみながら参加されているようでした。

そして何より嬉しいのは、けがもなく、無事に終えられたことです。

さて、今回のイベントのハイライトをお話ししましょう。想像してください——ムーミンに登場するミムラのような髪型をした保育士さんが、舞台の中心に立ち、まるで芸人のような表現力と求心力で小さなお子様を引き込みます。そして、赤鬼と青鬼の二人組が登場し、ユーモアあふれる寸劇を披露。悪いものをすべて追い出すような迫力のある演技に、そして私までもがぐいぐいと引き込まれていきました。

このパフォーマンスの主役のひとりは、保育歴20年の大ベテラン。事前に何度も何度も、おひとりでまた共演者の副園長さんと二人で入念に、リハーサルを重ねたそうです。その努力の成果が見事に現れ、シンプルな寸劇が特別なひとときへと昇華されました。

諏訪幼稚園には、教育者でありながら演技者でもあり、ストーリーテラーでもある素晴らしい才能を持ったスタッフがそろっています。もし機会があれば、ぜひ一度諏訪幼稚園でこの雰囲気を体験してみてください。心よりお待ちしております。

理事長のつぶやき

— A Note from the New Kindergarten Manager

Today, I indulged in reading the latest issue of the “Private Kindergarten Federation Journal.” The headline, “Kindergarten: The First School Children Encounter,” caught my eye, and I couldn’t resist letting my thoughts flow freely into this blog.

One article referred to a beautiful Native American belief: children are “borrowed from the future.” This profound idea brought to mind the children at Suwa Kindergarten, joyfully running across the soft, bouncy grounds at the foot of Mt. Dodogamine. These little treasures from the future explore their world with muddy shoes, inhaling the earthy aroma of the trees and feeling the soil beneath their feet. I can’t help but think that these analog experiences lay the foundation—the foundation of the foundation—for navigating the digital waves of tomorrow.

Speaking of digital, AI and Digitalization are an inevitable tide. But if we don’t want to get swept away, we need to ensure that our feet are firmly planted. It’s like Ichiro’s recent lessons at Gifu Prefectural High School: mastering the basics of the basics. Suwa Kindergarten, in its role as the foundational “school of firsts,” is devoted to fostering this essential groundwork through diverse experiences.

Inclusion and diversity also emerged as central themes. These are values we hold dear, teaching children to see the world’s diversity and embrace it with open hearts. This ethos echoes the wisdom of Native American traditions and resonates deeply as we reflect on the environmental crises affecting the West Coast of the United States. The connection between nature and nurture here in Suwa underscores how precious this environment is for our children.

So, how do we embrace the wave of digitalization? At Suwa Kindergarten, we aspire to be a space where both analog and digital worlds coexist. Here, children revel in the tactile joy of muddy play while laying the groundwork for engaging with AI and technology. It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other but learning to blend both worlds seamlessly—a skill vital for the society of the future.

As I imagine our children soaring into that future, we feel a profound responsibility to nurture and protect this place where it all begins. It’s a formidable challenge, but every time I see their smiles—the smiles of these borrowed treasures—I know that it’s a challenge worth taking.