Play and learning at Ohana International School in Tokyo are inseparable. In the early years, children are learning more and at a faster rate than at any other time in their lives. It is through their active engagement in shared play and learning experiences that they develop a sense of individual identity, awareness of others, and the skills needed to participate effectively in their social worlds.
The focus in the Early Childhood Curriculum at our Tokyo preschool includes both teacher-led learning experiences and emergent curriculum. Emergent curriculum describes the kind of curriculum that develops when exploring what is socially relevant, intellectually engaging, and personally meaningful to children.
This draws on the interests of children, educators, and families, and is visible in children’s play, projects, and other learning experiences.
👉 Arrange a Tour to see how our philosophy comes alive in the classroom.
Our curriculum and philosophy are designed by integrating both traditional educational philosophies and contemporary approaches within early childhood education.
The staff at Ohana brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives, constantly questioning how some of these principles can be applied to our own school. This process considers our families, our environment, our resources, and the global and Japanese community we live in.
Our framework views the child as:
(The NSW Dept of Community Services Curriculum Framework)
Reading about our philosophy is just the beginning—the best way to truly understand it is to see how children learn and grow within this environment.
Reggio Emilia, Emergent Curriculum, Values Learning, Play-Based learning, The Integrative Learning Themes of IB. By embracing and respecting individuality, fostering a spirit of community and global citizenship, and integrating play with learning in an emergent curriculum. Our curriculum emphasizes nurturing open-minded, knowledgeable, and caring individuals through hands-on learning, multilingual support, and eco-friendly practices. It incorporates elements such as the Reggio Emilia approach and promotes social-emotional development alongside academic achievement.
They are an integral part of our thought process and how we develop our program. They are a part of the many layers of our teaching.
It is our guide, and we believe it creates the best opportunities for meaningful learning, as it is child-centered and allows children to take ownership of their education. The best outcomes from any learning come from what we are genuinely interested in.
By promoting holistic child development, honoring individuality and diversity, and building strong partnerships with parents and the wider community. They achieve this through an inclusive educational philosophy, diverse classrooms, trained staff, emergent curriculum, active communication, and community engagement, all aimed at nurturing confident and responsible global citizens.
Both parents and children are supported in the learning process.
Loris Malaguzzi, Vygotsky, John Dewey, Ralph Tyler, Maria Montessori.
OHANA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
3-12-36 Motoazabu
Minato-ku Tokyo 106-0046 JAPAN
