Expanding future possibilities

Cover: "A Real Fruit Monster Has Appeared!"
A Fruit Monster depicted in the picture book "My Fruit Monster," was recreated using real fruits
by A.K. from Yao School and her family.
Pineapples, watermelons, bananas, cherries, strawberries, oranges, lemons, and more34

̶ the monster made from colorful fruits appears as if it has jumped straight out of the picture book.
The family's creativity beautifully expresses the unique character of the fruit-made monster.
It is fun to realize the world of picture books!

We look forward to
your ideas!
“Hiraku” provides useful informationand the latest news related toEnglish and childhood education.

・Your recent interests
・Topics you want us to cover
・New content etc etc…
If you have ideas to contribute,please share these with us!
“Hiraku” Editorial Department
TEL：06-6135-0150
Mail： hiraku@kinderkids.ed.jp★ A Native English Teacher has Passed the Japanese Childcare Licence Exam
★ My Stepping Stone〈File7〉

Published in
March 2024 Vol.34
Next issue isplanned to comeat the end of September

Kinder Kids Inc.
TEL：06-6135-0150
Pulala Tenma 2F, 3-1 Ikeda-cho,
Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka. 530-0033★ CPR and Epipen Training & Safety Management at Kinder Kids
★ Osaka University International Students Interned at Kinder Kids
★ IPC Curriculum at Inﬁnity

www.kinderkids.com

日本の心と、英語の力。Kinder Kids inc.

Passed the Childcare
Licence Exam!

Interview witha Native English Teacher＜ Part 1： Lulu Qianmiao ＞
Passing the childcare license exam in Japan is a signiﬁcant achievement for those whose native

English and even Mandarin. When providing information to parents, especially regarding illnesses or
injuries, it's important to describe their childrenʼs symptoms accurately. Considering my Japanese
language skills, I sometimes worry about whether I am accurately conveying the child's symptoms
to the parents. However, on such occasions, my Japanese colleagues help interpret for me.
【Teaching Methods】
My educational philosophy is to make learning fun and fascinating. If children are not interested ina class, it is because they are bored. I use every method I can think of to make the class interesting
and amusing for children, such as songs, games, stories, various media, crafts, balloons, magic

language is not Japanese. We interviewed two native English teachers of Kinder Kids who success-tricks, stickers, and puppets̶utilizing any creative means possible. My goal is to entertain children

fully passed this challenging exam and asked why they took the childcare license exam and what are

while they learn. Also, teachers themselves should enjoy the classes. I believe when teachers enjoy

their educational philosophies. These interviews will be published in separate issues.

teaching, children will also enjoy learning.
【Building Trusting Relationships with Children】【The Motivation and Story Behind the Decision to
Take the Childcare License Exam】
When I ﬁrst joined Kinder Kids, I was assigned as a Nursery Class
teacher. Despite having experience as a middle school teacher, it
was my ﬁrst time teaching and interacting with small children, andI struggled a lot to adjust to this new environment. However, myclass partner, who had extensive experience was a great support
to me. I realized that I was expected not only to be just a language

Lulu Qianmiao（Tennoji Yuhigaoka School）
Born in Singapore, Lulu was a middle
school teacher before moving toJapan. After working for a Japanesecompany for several years, sherediscovered her passion forteaching children and joined Kinder
Kids as a teacher. She teaches
Mandarin at Academy School andInﬁnity Global School, cherishing
opportunities to share her language
and culture with the children. She
supports the children's physical andmental well-being through Social
Emotional Learning* (SEL).

［Social Emotional Learning］
Social Emotional Learning is anapproach that focuses not only on IQ(Intelligence Quotient) but also on
EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient).

teacher but also to support the children's safety, health, andgrowth as a childcare-giver. This made me aware of the need todeepen my knowledge of childcare. I became interested inlearning more about how to support children from different
aspects. Many of my Japanese colleagues had obtained childcare
licenses. Since I also understand Japanese to some extent, I
thought I could pass the Childcare License exam, so I decided totake the exam. Encouraged by my school managers and colleagues
who gave me useful advice, I was able to overcome many difﬁculties. The Childcare License exam not only requires childcare
knowledge but also requires advanced Japanese language skills.
Studying with a dictionary in hand, and understanding eachand open-minded. Every day, the children and I enjoy conversing about many things such as the event of the day, favorite
characters, and hair clips. When children feel our sincerity
and affection, they will open up to us. This is the beginning ofbuilding a good relationship, and we also can understandchildren better through these everyday conversations. As
childcare providers with foreign backgrounds, we can bring"the world" into our classrooms, teaching children about
diverse cultures and countries. I actively share my language
and culture with children, introducing Chinese traditional
festivals through stories and crafts. On special occasions, I wear traditional clothing to class and thechildren are intrigued by my attire! We need to raise children's awareness of the international
community and emphasize the importance of harmony in diversity.。
【Future Goals】
I would like to use my knowledge and experience as a childcare professional to plan and promote
attractive lessons that help children effectively learn while meeting their various learning needs. I
also aspire to enhance Mandarin classes at Kinder Kids and Inﬁnity by obtaining the "International
Chinese Teacher Certiﬁcate".

By better understanding how children develop their abilities, we cancreate original curriculums and learning materials tailored to young learners. I believe this approachsection of the exam, was a long and laborious process. After a year

helps children grow into conﬁdent, compassionate, and multilingual global citizens.

and a half of study and repeated reviews, I ﬁnally passed all the【Advice to Those Considering Working as Childcare Providers Overseas】

writtenandpractical

sections

on

my

third

attempt. I am proud tohave obtained a Childcare License in a foreign language
while I am abroad.
【Foreign Language and Culture】
Sometimes children have difﬁculty expressing themselves
in English. It is important to be patient, encourage, andhelp children using words and gestures to express
themselves. This way, they will gain conﬁdence in speaking
1

When building relationships with children, I try to be sincere

If you're considering working as a childcare provider overseas,
give it a try! Don't let language barriers or cultural differences
hold you back. Please take one step forward. There's a saying
by Lao-zi,「千里之行，
始于足下」(Qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià),"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Itemphasizes that great achievements begin with a single action.
Fear of the unknown and self-doubt may hold you back fromtrying new things, so have the courage to follow your heart anddesire to deepen your knowledge. It will surely enrich your life
more than you can imagine.
2

My
Stepping
Stone〈File7〉

Kinder Kids was the start.

Osaka School
Graduate

Introduction of graduateswho through

Aely Arai

their efforts opened new doors.

Freshmanat the Universityof Miami
Aely Arai graduated from Kinder Kids Osaka School in 2012. She started playing
tennis in the third grade of elementary school and demonstrated outstanding

Continued Passion for Tennis Leads to a Professional Career Aiming to grow further,
Aely will enroll at the University of Miami,

University of Miami,

athletic ability and perseverance. After preschool, she enrolled at Doshisha[UM]

School in 2024. She has been accepted to the University of Miami in Florida on awhich has some of the strongest sports teams in the United States.
Balancing academics and sports, she aspires to become a globally loved tennis player

The English skills I developed at Kinder Kids havebeen very helpful in my school life and tennis
activities. When I trained at IMG in Florida during
middle school, my English skills helped me a lot tocommunicate with coaches and players from all over
the world. My experience of speaking in front ofpeople at Kinder Kids was also useful in college
interviews and presentations.

ot

Fr

y s M

full scholarship and will move to the United States in September.

【Achievements and Awards】
２０１７
IMG Academy Discovery Open Under12 Girls - First Place
２０２２
ITF World Tennis Tour J60 Miki City - First Place
2023
Kansai Junior Tennis Championship - First Place
２０２３
National High School Tennis Championship - Second Place
W15 TOKYO Tournament - Singles: Last 16, Doubles: Semiﬁnalist
２０２４
July 2024 SBC DREAM TENNIS TOUR ２０２４出場

We interviewed Aely's mother, who has supported her daughter's
growth and challenges, about her daughterʼs childhood andhow she supported Aely at home.
She reﬂected from a mother's perspective on how
Aely gained the strength to continue to pursue her dreams.

Balancing Sports and Academics
Balancing sports and academics is challenging, but I
manage it by organizing my daily schedule andsetting priorities. I make the most of my commuting
time on the train and breaks between classes toachieve my goals.

My Father is a Passionate Person
When I was in elementary school, my father
accompanied me every day to the train station while
I practiced tossing and back-stepping with myschool backpack on. Through my daily training
routine, I learned self-discipline and acquired theability to progress step by step toward myobjectives.

odents
sage tids Stu
K
r
A Mes
e
d
Kin

3

Ael

r

English Acquisition at Kinder Kidsmhe

After graduating from high school, I will attend the
University of Miami, which has some of thestrongest sports teams in the United States. I was
attracted to the University of Miami for its highacademic standards and comprehensive tennis
program. I felt the school environment with its
diverse cultures was ideal for my personal growth.
The school atmosphere, coaches, and otherstudents helped me decide to enroll in this school.

o

New Challenges
at the University of Miami

The University of Miami is a private
university located in Coral Gables, asouthwestern suburb of Miami, Florida.
The University is a prestigious private
university that was not only ranked 16th in
the NCAA in 2022 but also ranked 67th inacademics among all national universities.

International Academy Elementary School and graduated from Doshisha HighEnglish is a useful tool that helps to expand yourpossibilities. Please be positive and enjoy learning
English. Please cherish the relationships you havewith the friends and teachers at Kinder Kids, andcontinue to learn more about the world.

ー What type of child was Aely?
When I asked my daughter, "Are you really going to a university abroad?" she replied, "The only one
hesitating is you, Mom. Iʼm ready. Iʼll just take my passport and determination and go to the U.S."
Hearing these words, I strongly felt her growth and strength. Come to think of it, she has always
been mentally strong since she was little. When she was in K2, we went to the UK, and while wewere waiting in line at the airport security check, she drank all the bottled water and exclaimed, "I'mﬁnished!" This surprised the airport staff.
ー What kind of parental support have you given to Aely?
My husband fully supports Aely's passion for tennis, assisting her with daily training andparticipation in matches. I support her daily life. For example, when she faces difﬁculties, I
massage her feet at night while listening to her and encouraging her to stay positive. There
are many times when she gets injured or things don't go as planned, but instead of focusing
on what is lost, I try to emphasize what can be learned and support her to take the next step.
ー How do you approach parenting?
We prioritize providing education that suits each of our children individually and do notbelieve in making the older child do something just because they are older or not allowing theyounger child to do something just because they are younger. We believe it is important to leteach child choose their own path without the younger one having to make any sacriﬁces.
【Editorial Dep.】Six years ago, in an interview when Aely was 12 years old, she expressed her
future dream of wanting to become a tennis player who is loved by people all over the world.
As Aely moves closer and closer to realizing that dream, we want to cheer her on with ourheartfelt support.

4

CPR & EpiPen Training Session

sessions should be tailored to speciﬁc situations and seasons, and by implementing clear measures, prevention
can be strengthened. Through evidence-based training, staff members can learn to respond calmly andeffectively in emergencies.

Interview with the Instructors【Common Incidents and Eﬀective Responses】
In this training, Professor Atsushi Kamikubo taught us how to respond to ﬁve critical incidents and thepractical knowledge to keep children safe.
①Lacerations or bleeding caused by colliding with classmates ②Heatstroke during outdoor activities in summer③Sudden illnesses such as vomiting or febrile seizures ④Injuries such as cuts and bruises during physical activities⑤Allergic reactions due to incorrect serving of allergy-causing foods, or anaphylactic shock due to animal or plant allergies
Knowledge of ﬁrst aid is crucial for handling injuries caused by physical activities or colliding with classmates.
Before summer outdoor activities, it's effective to conduct health checks, monitor the Wet Bulb Globe
Temperature (WBGT) index, and prepare heatstroke prevention items. It is important to read manuals andhave training for dealing with sudden illnesses. To prevent allergic reactions, carefully double-checking
during food serving is necessary. Preventing animal and plant allergies requires advanced research andknowledge of how to use an EpiPen. Moreover, teaching children the importance of self-protection andmaintaining good relationships between the school and parents are also crucial for improving safety management.

During the spring break before the start of this school year, we held a staff training session on administering CPR andthe use of the EpiPen, inviting Professor Atsushi Kamikubo from Meiji University of Integrative Medicine and Mr.
Hitoshi Hatano from LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka. Remote school employees participated online. With
simultaneous interpretation, all employees, regardless of nationality, were able to participate. The staff members gave
positive feedback, such as “the instruction was easy to understand and I realized the importance of being preparedthrough hands-on training." We had the opportunity to interview the two trainers who led the training session.

Professor Atsushi Kamikubo
Faculty of Emergency Medical Science【Background of This Training Session】
Eighteen years ago, I became interested in school health and safety and beganpromoting the importance of ﬁrst aid. We started with three schools and now
receive requests from 30 schools annually. This training session was conducted after Mr. Hatano of LEGOLAND Osaka consulted with us. Educational
institutions face a wide range of incidents from minor injuries and fevers tomore severe cases such as fractures, loss of consciousness, allergies, and in theworst case, cardiac arrest. When the overall awareness of the teachers was low,every time a repeat of a life that could have been saved was lost, I strongly feltthat there was a need to improve the educational environment. This training
was also planned to improve the health environment and safety education, tocreate a safe and secure environment at educational institutions.

【The Importance of Practical Training】
It is important not only to memorize the text descriptions about what to do
but also to actually practice so that the body and brain can also learn theactual hands-on techniques. Accidents can occur suddenly, but with proper training, you will be able torespond by providing the necessary life-saving actions even in highly tense situations.

Meiji University of Integrative Medicine【Feedback from Participants】
At ﬁrst, I was concerned about the many international participants in the training, but their enthusiastic
participation eased my worries. Everyone's response to the training was very positive, and I could feel theirhigh motivation by the look in their eyes and attitude. I was able to proceed with the training with the supportof all the participants.
【Importance of Safety Management】
In preschools and daycare facilities, it's crucial for all staff, not just directors and managers, to haveexperience in ﬁrst aid methods. Speciﬁcally, all staff members should be able to make decisions and work
together to respond to any symptoms, call an ambulance, determine whether
to see a doctor, contact parents and related agencies, and accompany the childto a hospital. Additionally, teaching children three years old and older about
self-defense, how to safely play to avoid injuries, and how to respond in caseof illness will improve overall safety in the daycare facilities. It also helps
children understand the importance of life.

5【Signiﬁcance of Regular CPR and First Aid Training】
Without actual training opportunities, conﬁdence and quality cannot be
developed.It is essential to maintain skills through regular training. Also, it isimportant to ensure that every staff member can perform the same ﬁrst aid
procedures, enabling everyone to handle any situation at any time. Training【Emergency Response and Lessons Learned】
In my experience at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka, particularly inhandling medical emergencies and ﬁrst aid, I ﬁnd "not panicking" to be very
crucial. During emergencies, it's important to calmly assess the condition of
the injured or ill person, and call for help from many people. Regular simulation training is also essential, and we conduct these sessions regularly even
within the theme park.
【Emergency Response in a Crowded Venue】
At LEGOLAND Osaka, we handle situations by ensuring the privacy of the
injured or ill customers while coordinating roles and teamwork. This enables
a smooth response to any emergency.

Hitoshi Hatano【Heatstroke Prevention and Preparations】
When going out on hot summer days, staying
hydrated and taking breaks are essential. At theme parks, it's easy to getcaught up in the fun and neglect these precautions. For hydration, we
recommend not only tea and water but also sports drinks containing salt.
Proper diet and adequate sleep are also important in the prevention of heatstroke. Especially among younger people, prevention is often neglected. It is
important to prepare the body for the heat in advance. Furthermore, teaching
children how to play without getting injured and what to do in case of sudden
illness improves safety management for the entire school. It will also help thechildren learn the value of life.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka

Safety Management at KinderKids
This training, organized by the Childcare and Education Department, is important to ensure the safety of the children. We extend our heartfelt gratitude toProfessor Kamikubo and Mr. Hatano for their guidance. The EpiPen and CPR
training is to learn what can be done to save lives before the ambulance arrives.
Kinder Kids also conducts twice-monthly evacuation drills, training at the
Naomi Michibata
Childcare and
Education Dept.

disaster prevention center, and all staff members are updated with the latest
information through allergy training. We will continue to maintain the PDCA
cycle for safety management and to improve the quality of childcare.
6International Internship
Experience at Kinder Kids→

Q.Why did you decide to study in Japan?
A.I thought that experiencing Japanese culture, which issigniﬁcantly different from European culture, would be avaluable cultural experience. Japan's high standard ofeducation was also appealing. I thought Japan would be theperfect place to deepen my learning in a different culturalenvironment.
Q.Why did you decide to participate in the internshipprogram at Kinder Kids?
A.I was interested in Japanʼs business practices and decided toparticipate because a friend who had previously joined this program recommended it. Additionally, I saw
it as a great opportunity to apply the research I conducted on second language acquisition for myundergraduate thesis.
Q.What are your most memorable experiences or events during your stay in Japan?
A.I had various challenges in the classes I participated in. The children were kind and highly motivatedto learn, but they were very active, so it required continuing effort to keep their attention. I learned
that understanding each child's personality is crucial to capturing their attention.
Q.What diﬀerences, such as teaching methods, did you see between education in
Japan and in your home country?
A.Compared to education in Japan, in Sweden, I remember there was more time spent outdoors (such as
outdoor playtime), and less class time.
Q.How has your experience at Kinder Kids inﬂuenced
your views on education?
A.I realized the importance of starting education as early as
possible. I was amazed to see very young children who couldn't
tie their shoelaces conversing ﬂuently in English.
Q.What is the most important thing you have learned
during your internship?
A.The most important thing I learned was to make the children
recognize me as a teacher. During my weekly visits, I was often
perceived more like a friend, so I adjusted my tone of voice,body language, and maintained an appropriate distance so thatthey would perceive me as a teacher.
Q.Would you recommend participating in the internship program at Kinder Kids to other students? If so,
why?
A.Yes, I would deﬁnitely recommend it. I learned a lot from myexperience here. Also, the staff was enthusiastic and supportive. I had a great time interacting with the children.

7

What did they learn from this experience? We interviewed two
students to ﬁnd out what they learned from this experience and what
they thought of the Japanese educational environment.

→

Erik Lekman
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

This spring, Kinder Kids welcomed exchange students from Osaka
University to participate in an internship program.
From April to July, these students gained hands-on experience inearly childhood education by directly interacting with the children.

Osaka University Exchange Students'
Cross-Border Learning

Kim Jieun
Pusan National University

Q.Why did you decide to study in Japan?
A.I have relatives living in Japan, and since I was young, I haveheard a lot about Japan. I ﬁnd Japanese culture and cuisine
particularly fascinating, and I have been studying Japanese
as well. I decided to study in Japan to experience theculture and also to improve my Japanese language skills.
Q.Why did you decide to participate in the internshipprogram at Kinder Kids?
A.I taught English for four years at an English language schoolin Korea, where the focus was primarily on improving exam
scores. I thought that this approach had clear advantages and disadvantages. Since Japan is geographically close to Korea, I wanted to compare the similarities and differences in their English teaching
methods. By doing this, I hope to ﬁnd ways to make learning English easier and more enjoyable forstudents.
Q.What are your most memorable experiences or events during your stay in Japan?
A.I taught English to children and played games with them in English. I felt that it was important to get theminterested in English to enhance their skills. When children became interested in English, they became very active.
Q.What diﬀerences, such as teaching methods, did you see between education in
Japan and your home country?
A.It is difﬁcult to directly compare Kinder Kids with the school where I studied English or the English
language school where I taught because they are different, but comparing what I have heard frommy Japanese friends with how Korean children learn English, I think the educational methods inJapan and Korea are similar.
Q.How has your experience at Kinder Kids inﬂuenced
your views on education?
A.I learned how important the environment is for learning. In an environmentthat supports focused learning, the learning becomes more effective. It's
also important to create situations that stimulate the desire to learn. I
believe that learning a new language at an early age makes it easier toacquire the language.
Q.What is the most important thing you have learned
during your internship?
A.Since education is about human relationships, I believe thatbuilding a good relationship between teachers and students isthe most important thing.
Q.Would you recommend participating in the internshipprogram at Kinder Kids to other students? If so, why?
A.Yes, I would highly recommend it. Through the internship, I learned a lot
not only from an educational perspective but also in terms of building
good relationships with students. I believe this experience will have apositive impact on my life.

8

IPC classes

1st Term Report
Entrance Ceremony

at Inﬁnity Global Elementary School

In April 2024, Inﬁnity Global School warmly welcomed its new ﬁrst-year
students. During this year's opening ceremony, the current students
escorted the new students into the ceremony, and a representative of thecurrent students delivered a heartfelt welcome speech in both English

At Inﬁnity Global Elementary School, IPC (International Primary Curriculum) was introduced in the thirdand Japanese. The new students demonstrated their creativity by

year of its opening. The school provides cross-curricular inquiry-based learning across various themes.

presenting personal videos talking about their future dreams.

The IPC is based on the same international educational standards as the International Baccalaureate

In the principal's speech, he emphasized the importance of a "growth(IB) Primary Years Programme and the Cambridge Primary but focuses speciﬁcally on practical,

mindset"inquiry-based activities. Aligned with the learning objectives of the UK's National Curriculum, theandhighlighted

howimportant continuous learning is.

curriculum at KinderKids also adopts theme-based learning, integrating multiple subjects such as

Inﬁnity Global School aims to be more than just an educational institution

science, geography, and history.

but also aims to build a community that grows and supports each other.

IPC lesson example: "Learning Safely Online"
This lesson aims to enhance information literacy by focusing on
information gathering, analysis, and effective communication

The understanding and cooperation of the parents are essential forachieving this goal. We look forward to showcasing our achievements
through many events in the future, where teachers and students work
together as one.

methods.
＜Information Gathering＞
Children use the "Screen Time Tracker" to monitor their own digital

School Excursion
As part of the IPCʼs Unit "How Humans Work," the 1st and 2nd gradersdevice usage, thereby increasing self-awareness regarding the use

explored how the mind and body work. This unit emphasizes deepeningof digital media.

students' understanding through physical activities, and learning how＜Analysis＞

they use their bodies effectively. In a recent excursion, students took on

We introduced a new web app called "Make a Bar Graph" and thethe challenge of a climbing wall. This activity not only allows students tochildren were ﬁrst allowed to freely operate the application.

test their physical limits but also to develop mental strength through theThrough this method, children quickly learned how to use the app.

process of overcoming fears and learning new skills. Climbing the wall

Next, they interviewed classmates to collect data on which devices

requiresare often used and for what purposes. They learned information

musclestrength,coordination, and decision-making

analysis and visualization skills by using this data and the "Make askills, all directly related to the

Bar Graph" application to make a graph.

learning objectives of the "How Humans Work" unit. By overcoming＜Effective Communication＞

individual challenges, students can enhance their self-efﬁcacy and realize

At the end of the lesson, children evaluated their own online

how physical activities inﬂuence the mind. Through this excursion,

activities and submitted screenshots of their graphs to the "SeeSaw"

children experienced the joy of self-transcendence and learned thesocial media app. By sharing their achievements through thisimportance of overcoming difﬁculties.

platform, they deepened their understanding of the safety andeffectiveness of online information processing, thereby strengthening their digital literacy skills.
The IPC-based curriculum allows students to work together and address real-world problems in depth
by linking the content of each subject. We provide education where students deeply study a single
theme over 2 to 6 weeks, developing skills needed not only in the classroom but also in society.
9Inﬁnity Global Elementary School: 2025 Admission Guidelines【Application Period】
July 25 (Thu) 9 am to August 20 (Tue) 5 pm, 2024

※We only accept online applications. Applications
are accepted online only. Please note that physicalapplications are not accepted.

● For more details,

please visit our website.

10