Episode 4: Language and Literacy for Young Learners

Is it ever too early to think about literacy for young learners? April McBride (ABC International School), Angela Aramaki (Willowbrook International School), and Merete Kropp (Komzawa Park International School) join TAIP President John Adduru (Ohana International School) to discuss their strategies and thoughts on early literacy.

They talk about parent involvement, building a literacy-promoting environment, tools, techniques, and rewards of preparing young learners to read.

Episode 3: Licensing and Authorization

TAIP President Alex Batten leads the discussion with Ayla International School Principal Puteri Zailan and a founder and Director of Youhou Eiken Kyoukai Mayumi Murata, covering licensing and authorization of early childhood care facilities in Japan.

Although there are many variations in rules and procedures based on municipality, we discuss the main framework of hoikuen, youchien, and kodomoen. We also talk about the different authorizations, such as ninka and ninka-gai.

Puteri Zailan also talks about her experience becoming a foreign hoikushi in Japan.

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Episode 2: Learning Through Play

TAIP Secretary and Principal of Komazawa Park International School, Merete Kropp, leads a discussion about play and play-based learning with ASIJ Early Learning Center Director, Christy Carrillo, and Ohana International School Assistant Director, John Adduru.

Our discussion this episode is about the role of play in the classroom. We discuss our definitions of play, and how we use play in our schools. How we handle rough or risky play. We also talk about the role of play in developing executive function, how we document play, and how we explain these topics with parents.