The TAIP Spring Conference 2026 brings together educators from across Tokyo's international school community to explore the diversity of educational approaches in early childhood settings.
- Date: Friday, April 25th, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Shinagawa International School
- Format: In-person panel discussions and workshops
- Theme: Educational Methodologies in Early Childhood
The day is structured around open dialogue between practitioners from six different educational traditions — offering space to examine what each approach values, how it works in practice, and where philosophies converge or differ.
Morning Panel: Educational Methodologies in Conversation
Representatives from six educational approaches come together to discuss their core philosophies, classroom practice, and what they believe children need in their early years:
- IB Primary Years Programme — Krisleen Ross (Shinagawa International School)
- Reggio Emilia — Ann Nishigaya (Tokyo Children's Garden)
- Cambridge Early Years — Max Mathieu & Emily Donkin (UIA & TIK International School)
- Montessori — Mariko Maeda (Dandelion Montessori School)
- British National Curriculum — Joshua Bateson (British School in Tokyo)
- American Curriculum — Christy Carrillo (American School in Japan)
Discussion topics include the role of the teacher, the balance between child-led and structured learning, and what a typical day looks like across each approach.
Midday Sessions: Deep Dives by Methodology
After the panel, participants attend two in-depth sessions with practitioners from specific methodologies — an opportunity to go further, ask questions, and explore how these approaches operate in Tokyo's international school context.
Indicate your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd session preferences at registration.
Session 1
- IB Workshop — Krisleen Ross (SIS)
- Cambridge Workshop — Max Mathieu (UIA) & Emily Donkin (TIK)
- British National Curriculum Workshop — Joshua Bateson (BST)
Session 2
- Reggio Emilia Workshop — Ann Nishigaya (Tokyo Children's Garden)
- Montessori Workshop — Mariko Maeda (Dandelion Montessori School)
- American Curriculum Workshop — Christy Carrillo (ASIJ)
Afternoon Workshops: Methodology in Practice
The afternoon moves from discussion to experience. Participants choose one hands-on workshop and engage with a methodology as a learner — seeing and feeling how a philosophy translates into classroom practice.
- Reggio Emilia in Practice — Ayumi Friedmann (British School in Tokyo)
- Montessori in Practice — Mariko Maeda & Maki Sugamata, AMI-trained Montessori Guide (Dandelion Montessori School)
- Play-Based Learning in Practice — Krisleen Ross (Shinagawa International School)