Events and Teacher Training
Upcoming Professional Development
Importance of Songs and Circle Time
Details:
An online workshop with Wen Feri (Saint Alban's Nursery) on the importance of songs and circle time.
- Format: Online (Zoom)
- Date: July 5, 2025 (Sat)
- Time: 9:30-11:00 am
- Fee: ¥500
Early Years Essentials
An online workshop on Early Years Essentials: Building Routines, Relationships & Readiness:
- Alice Madenokoji-Higgs (Izumi International School) Setting boundaries within the classroom
- Emily Donkin (TIK International School) Resources for new teachers
- Allison Tong (Aoba International School) Communication with Families
Details:
- Format: Online (Zoom)
- Date: August 16, 2025 (Sat)
- Time: 9:30-11:00 am
- Fee: ¥500
Past Events
Teacher Sharing Sessions - April 25, 2025
April 25, 2025
This event connects early childhood educators through teacher-led sharing sessions focusing on behavior management strategies and classroom environment design. Participants explore positive guidance techniques, self-regulation support, and creating spaces that nurture independence and belonging. Small group discussions provide practical, classroom-tested insights and networking opportunities.
2025 Tokyo English Language Teaching Convention
February 9, 2025
This event offers professional development for early childhood educators through a partnership with English Language Teaching Conventions. Participants can attend workshops focused on young learners and network with educators across Japan. TAIP members have opportunities to present on early childhood education topics in a dedicated presentation room with six sessions.
TAIP Fall Conference 2024
October 26, 2024
This event offers early childhood educators strategies for enhancing communication with young learners, supporting teacher well-being, and creating effective classroom environments. Features Harvard lecturer Rebecca Rolland on child communication and TELL on educator resilience.
A Psychological Justification for a Child-Centered Approach
August 24, 2024
This workshop explores constructivist teaching approaches in early childhood education, contrasting them with behaviorist methods. It emphasizes child-centered learning and examines key theories from Piaget, Kelly, and Vygotsky that benefit teachers working with young learners.
Yoga in the Preschool Classroom
November 7, 2020
Introduces basic children's yoga practices for preschool classrooms across different age groups. Techniques are accessible for teachers without yoga experience. Led by Hitomi, an experienced international preschool teacher who incorporates yoga to support children's mental and physical health.
TAIP Teacher Sharing (May 2024)
May 17, 2024
This event connects early childhood educators through collaborative sharing sessions focused on Circle Time strategies and Early Years Literacy development. Participants explore effective activities, transition management, creating literacy-rich environments, and supporting emergent reading/writing skills through guided discussions with peers.
What is Anti-Racist/Anti-Bias Curriculum and Why Should We Teach It to Young Children?
October 22, 2022
Educators receive personalized tools addressing gender, racism, classism, and activism for developmentally appropriate initiatives with children, parents, and community. Victor Bradley Jr. brings 30+ years of educational experience, offering anti-bias programming and social-emotional learning resources.
Understanding and Changing Challenging Behaviors
April 23, 2022
This workshop teaches parents and educators how to manage problem behaviors in children with autism or developmental delays. Participants learn behavioral principles, strategies to increase cooperation, observation techniques, and data collection methods. The focus is on practical solutions for everyday challenges like tantrums, noncompliance, and toileting issues.
TAIP Book Club: The Art of Talking with Children
December 3, 2022
This virtual book club discusses "The Art of Talking with Children" by Rebecca Rolland, exploring how to nurture kindness, creativity, and confidence in children. Participants share insights and questions to deepen understanding of effective communication with young learners.
Transitions - good beginnings and good endings
March 23, 2022
Explores how to manage transitions in early childhood, covering attachment theory, emotional responses, and practical strategies for creating positive transitions. Provides a framework for understanding the transition cycle and working with parents to support children through changes, emphasizing intentional planning and relationship building.
Technology in the Classroom
October 9, 2019
This event explores the role of technology in preschool classrooms through teacher-led discussions. Participants examine benefits, challenges, and successful implementation strategies while learning from experienced educators who have effectively integrated technology into early childhood settings.
Teacher Sharing Session (Literacy)
February 15, 2019
Explores literacy education challenges and methods for early childhood educators, featuring collaborative idea-sharing and Q&A sessions. Provides practical advice for implementing effective literacy strategies in diverse classroom settings.
TAIP Teacher Sharing Session
February 26, 2019
This session brings teacher assistants together to discuss their roles in international preschool classrooms, providing rare professional development opportunities for these important classroom contributors.
Social Emotional Learning: Strategies for Preventing, Pinpointing, and Helping Young Children Develop Self-Regulatory Skills
May 21, 2023
This workshop explores understanding children's misbehavior as undeveloped skills rather than requiring punishment. Attendees learn strategies to help children develop self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills essential for academic and social success through a specific approach to behavior analysis.
Story Writing with Young children
November 6, 2021
Explores personal narrative and literacy vs. orality through a story writing process influenced by Bev Bos, Vivian Paley, Sydney Clemens, and Sylvia Ashton-Warner. Includes reading children's stories.
RIE’s Educaring Approach: Movement and Play as Curriculum in the Sensorimotor Stage
September 25, 2021
Explores Magda Gerber's RIE philosophy, emphasizing how infants and toddlers learn through uninterrupted play and natural motor development. Examines when to observe versus intervene, and how attentive caregiving creates optimal learning environments for children 0-3.
RIE’s Educaring Approach: Caregiving as Curriculum
September 11, 2021
Explores respectful caregiving practices that build trust and promote cognitive and social-emotional development. Emphasizes slowing down during care routines to enable babies and toddlers to participate actively in their own care.
Safe, Nurturing, and Predictable Classrooms
January 18, 2020
This event explores creating safe, nurturing classrooms by reconnecting with core values in early childhood education. Focuses on proactive strategies that promote self-regulation and autonomy through a social-emotional lens, helping educators build predictable environments for young learners.
Reggio Documentation
December 9, 2020
Explores Reggio-inspired documentation practices, sharing personal journey and methods for effectively communicating with students. Demonstrates how documentation enriches student-parent-teacher relationships in collaborative learning environments.
Reflecting on School Year 2020-2021
June 5, 2021
This workshop guides educators in reflecting on the school year, celebrating successes, and implementing self-care strategies for themselves and their classrooms. Led by Amanda Stradling, LMSW, who brings expertise from NYC's Division of Early Childhood Education.
Language-Based ABA/VB Classrooms
November 12, 2022
This workshop explores implementing effective language-based behavioral interventions in classroom settings for children with autism. Covers staff training, classroom structure, curriculum development, instructional strategies, and data collection systems. Emphasizes methods for integrating discrete trial instruction into daily activities and developing language skills in small group formats.
Making the Most of the Mix
February 13, 2021
This session explores the benefits of mixed age groupings in early childhood education, drawing from both historical and contemporary research. Discusses strategies for implementation, potential challenges, and specific social and intellectual advantages for children, while incorporating participant experiences and addressing common barriers.
Forest School Workshop
September 2, 2023
This workshop explores Forest School as a global educational approach, discussing its origins and benefits for early childhood development. Participants engage in outdoor activities to gain practical ideas for implementation with children. The presenter brings extensive experience in education and research focused on outdoor learning.
Lisa Murphy on Being Child-centered
October 23, 2021
Explores Lisa Murphy's 9-point framework for child-centered education through interactive lecture and real-life examples, emphasizing hands-on, play-based approaches in early childhood settings.
First Aid for Young Children
November 11, 2020
This course covers essential first aid skills for children ages 1-6, including CPR, AED usage, choking response, and Epipen administration. While not providing certification, it offers video demonstrations and Q&A opportunities with experienced instructor Alex Batten.
Get a bigger carpet! (Blocks)
November 27, 2021
Explores the value of block play in early childhood education, covering research findings, historical context, developmental stages, and connections to all four DAP domains. Discusses teacher attitudes, classroom space allocation, materials, and teacher involvement as key variables affecting block play implementation.
Earthquake Preparedness Workshop 2023
April 25, 2023
This workshop provides earthquake literacy through a 7-step preparedness approach, covering proper reactions, information gathering, family communication, neighborhood hazard awareness, home security, and emergency kit preparation.
Front Loading Skills in the Preschool Classroom
November 29, 2019
This event brings teachers together to discuss "front-loading" concepts and skills to enrich lessons, increase classroom participation, and prevent potential issues. The free session includes dinner and encourages both listening and sharing among participants.
Faber and Mazlish Parenting Workshop
October 30, 2019
This workshop teaches effective communication skills with children, making interactions more satisfying. Participants learn techniques to improve listening and speaking that enhance parent-child relationships.
Fall Conference 2023
October 14, 2023
This conference offers workshops on social-emotional learning through picturebooks and stress relief movement techniques for teachers. The picturebook session explores using interactive read-alouds to develop emotional literacy in young learners, while the movement workshop helps educators identify and release physical stress through breathing and movement exercises.
Breaking Bad
September 21, 2019
This workshop explores minimizing challenging behaviors through effective classroom management techniques, discussing consequences and proactive measures to reduce power struggles while increasing connections. Focuses on cultural considerations in understanding children and families holistically, with strategies for fostering parent partnerships.
Earthquake Preparedness Workshop
February 19, 2022
Provides earthquake literacy through interactive learning, covering seven essential preparedness steps including proper reactions, information gathering, family communication, hazard awareness, home safety, and emergency kit preparation.
Circles are for Squares
January 23, 2021
Examines the purpose of circle time, questioning why we interrupt engaged children for meetings. Introduces the "circle time sandwich" concept, focusing on books and stories as effective components, while emphasizing the importance of organic enthusiasm in group gatherings.
Difficult Conversations
February 8, 2020
This workshop teaches techniques for navigating challenging conversations with parents, including active listening and value-based reflections. Skills are applicable both in and outside the classroom setting. Led by Amanda Stradling, LMSW with experience in early childhood education.
Science Workshop for the Early Childhood Classroom
April 20, 2024
Explores science principles for early years education through hands-on experiments. Led by Montessori experts Pete and Mariko Juds, the workshop provides practical opportunities for teachers to engage in experimentation and foster curiosity in young learners.
About the Japanese Childcare License: Kosodate Sien-In
May 21, 2022
This session explores the Kosodate Sien-In license as an alternative to the Hoikushi license for childcare professionals. It covers eligibility requirements, benefits for schools and individuals, time commitment, language support, and administrative guidance provided by OBP Academy for non-native Japanese speakers.
Basic Hiring and Recruitment Practices
November 25, 2020
Explores effective teacher recruitment strategies, including hiring foreign teachers, avoiding red flags, and streamlining the application process. Covers advertising, communication, and interview best practices to help administrators select ideal candidates.
Battling Racism and Bullying Through Books
June 11, 2022
Explores anti-racism education through personal story of racial bullying. Provides strategies for responding to racist events, promoting acceptance, and helping children take purposeful steps toward anti-racism. Includes book reading and teaching resources.
2019 Spring Annual Conference
April 6, 2019
This event explored right brain communication's crucial role in healing relationships, particularly for teachers working with children and parents. It emphasized how unconscious elements often influence difficult interactions beyond verbal exchanges.
Attachment - basis of relationships and learning
September 27, 2022
Explores attachment theory's impact on children's behavior and learning, covering its importance, relationship to learning, case studies, and building secure bases for all stakeholders. Provides practical understanding of how attachment styles influence early childhood development and educational outcomes.
Bang Bang! You're Dead!
January 30, 2021
Explores facilitating power play in classrooms through open discussion. Addresses benefits and concerns rather than debating appropriateness, helping educators develop comfort and strategies regardless of their current stance on the topic.
2019 Fall Annual Conference: Provocations for Learning
November 2, 2019
Conference featured UK speaker Alice Sharp, known for her expertise in experiential play and early childhood education. Event was held at Shinagawa International School, offering professional development for educators in the field.
Join TAIP
Amplify Your Impact in Early Childhood Education
Join the Tokyo Association of International Preschools (TAIP) and connect with a vibrant community of international preschools, kindergartens, and supportive organizations. As a TAIP member, you'll gain access to exclusive benefits that help your organization thrive:
- Professional Development: Enhance your skills with specialized training and workshops.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with educators and industry leaders to share insights and best practices.
- Increased Visibility: Feature your organization in our member directory and promotional materials.
- Collaborative Growth: Participate in initiatives that foster innovation and quality education across Tokyo and beyond.
Take the next step in enriching early learning. Join TAIP today and contribute to a brighter future for young learners.
Learn More About Membership
