Visiting Fuji Kindergarten – learning ECE approaches in Japan 

On August 5^th, representatives of PECERA-HK visited Fuji Kindergarten in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Sekiichi Kato, the principal of Fuji Kindergarten, introduced their campus with many fantastic facilities. The outdoor spaces of the kindergarten were truly remarkable. They had a spacious lawn, climbing structures, and a sand pit, providing ample space for the children to run, play, and explore. 

During our visit, Mr. Kato shared their philosophy on early childhood education. “Experiencing is key for children’s growth,” he emphasized. To that end, they encourage free play, allowing children to freely explore the entire campus and discover at their own pace. Their culture believes that children have inherent problem-solving abilities and should be given the autonomy to do things independently. The role of adults is to guide and assist them when necessary, not to finish tasks for them. 

They also believe that children learn best through their daily experiences. For example, they’ve placed stickers on the floor of classrooms to gently prompt children to put their slippers to the correct spot, allowing them to learn discipline through these everyday routines. 

Mr. Kato also shared Fuji Kindergarten’s approach to nurturing children’s joy of exploration and a spirit of generosity. In this digital age, he noted that children can easily find information without the process of hands-on discovery. To counter this, they’ve hidden small, beautiful stones in the sand pit, challenging the children to find them through their own exploration. “We want the children to experience the thrill of discovering these hidden gems for themselves,” Mr. Kato explained. 

Furthermore, they encourage those who find multiple stones to share them with their peers who may be struggling to find any. This simple activity aims to cultivate the children’s willingness to share with one another. “We want our children to develop both self-reliance and a spirit of generosity.” Mr. Kato emphasized. 

We were truly amazed by the innovative and child-centered approach evident throughout the kindergarten’s design and educational practices. This invaluable experience has broadened our understanding of early childhood education approaches in Japan, and we look forward to exploring ways to incorporate the best practices we’ve learned into our own work in Hong Kong. 

(English version only)