After Setsubun at the start of the month (a celebration in Japan marking the end of Winter and the start of Spring), we've been feeling the hint of Spring in the air on some days and have seen many changes in how we work, play, and interact with our friends! Setsubun filled the classroom with little Oni (ogres), scaring away bad luck and bringing in all that is good into the classroom and our lives! We have been looking at animals that live in the Arctic region. We compared o

January has passed by quickly, and it has been a wonderful start to the new year. We introduced our new 2026 calendar and learned that it is the Year of the Horse. The children enjoyed making movable horses and learning a song about horses and their hooves, clipping and clopping along. We also celebrated the Japanese New Year by exploring traditional customs. The children created their own "osechi" displays, pasting various foods into a "jyubako" (stacked box). A few of us r

We are delighted that despite the recent drop in temperatures, the children have remained healthy and continued to enjoy their time at school. We have observed changes in the social dynamics as the children grow older and become more aware of their own and others’ feelings. We have been focusing on the importance of giving friends personal space, even when they are loved very much, and recognising that friends may sometimes need time alone. One day, we took a look at some kni