Gyoko Gakuen is a preschool and nursery school located in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, and practices environmental education utilizing its vast school land (approximately 1,500 m2 ) under the philosophy of "growing up together with nature. Currently, the school has approximately 80 children, and is highly popular in the community, with an average of four times the number of applicants per year from parents.
Specifics of outdoor activities and nature observation
The garden has a vegetable garden, flower garden, and small animal house (rabbits and chickens), and outdoor activities are set up for at least 30 minutes every day. The children learn about the changes in nature through seasonal experiences, such as collecting cherry petals to make pressed flower art in spring, harvesting tomatoes and cucumbers in the vegetable garden in summer, collecting fallen leaves to make compost in fall, and observing snow crystals in winter. In particular, in "vegetable garden management," each group is assigned an area of responsibility, and by voluntarily watering, weeding, and harvesting, they develop a sense of responsibility and cooperation.
Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning with Families
In the "Home Study Support Course," we distribute "Nature Observation Notebooks," which are conducted together with parents. By continuing what they have learned at the preschool at home, the effects of learning are enhanced. For example, tasks such as "recording birdsong at dusk" and "observing the phases of the moon" are set, providing opportunities for parents to observe with their children. At parent-teacher conferences, we hold "Nature Landscape Painting Exhibitions made by Parents and Children" to deepen cooperation between the preschool and families. Many parents have commented that their children have developed a love of nature and that they have more opportunities to talk about it with their families.
Responding to Children with Special Needs
Specialized counselors are on staff to deal with a variety of preschool children, including those with developmental disabilities. Individual developmental status is assessed, and individual guidance such as "communication play" and "sensory integration training" is provided. For example, for preschoolers who have difficulty developing social skills, we provide opportunities to foster cooperation with others through activities such as "taking care of small animals together" and "planting flowers in groups. In past data, 90% of preschoolers who received special support were rated by their parents as having "improved social skills.