Japanese class at Preschool 幼稚園で日本語クラス

Posting with permission. 掲載許可を頂いてます。 

The second time I visited the Little Sprouts Preschool, children circled around me as soon as I opened the door saying “Miss Megumi! Why didn’t you visit us sooner?”

I receive the monthly lesson theme from the lead teacher, so my topic is aligned with what they are learning that week. 45 minutes goes by so quickly with activities. I hope that the children take a little bit of Japanese essence each time.

The surprise came after the session with fall color flowers and the big heart with children’s names and kanji “愛” for love. One more treasure added to my box and it is just too great to be true.

I could say “see you next time” and leave, but it is hard to pass the opportunity to explore and ran around in their beautiful gardens with these lovely children!  A student took my hand and showed me around where they usually play and their secret spot.

There are many plants and trees where children can pick and use them to play. No one pick them violently. And they gifted to me with their favorite flowers, leaves and seeds they harvested, even found snails to show me! (They were placed safely on leaves after the playtime is over).

What did I do to deserve such love from children I see only once a month? I can’t think of anything, but I am so happy and cherish these moments we share with smiles and love.  Thank you so much for this time, Little Sprouts!

海辺の幼稚園に通い始めた２回目。

教室のドアを開けるや否や「ミス　メグミ～」と言って駆け寄って来てくれる幸せ。「何でもっと早く来てくれなかったの？」と子供達に詰め寄られる。

先生から事前にその月の学習テーマを頂いているので、それに沿う内容で日本語タイムを進めています。45分もあっという間。日本のエッセンスを子供達が感じてくれたら嬉しい。

最後には、またまたサプライズで秋の花束と子供達の名前が書いてある大きなハート！そして「愛」。ああ、泣ける。どうもありがとう！！宝物がまた一つ。

本来ここで、「じゃあまたね！」でもいいんだけど、ついつい外遊びも一緒にしてしまう。手を引かれるままお庭へ。秘密基地やお気に入りのお花の名前をこっそり教えてくれたり。

そこには草花が沢山あり、それを自由に摘んで遊び道具にしています。もちろん、乱暴に摘んでしまう子は一人もいない。そして、私のためにせっせと最高のお花や葉っぱ、種をプレゼントしてくれる子供達。花壇の向こうで見つけたカタツムリもこんなに！（カタツムリは安全な場所にお返ししました）。

溢れるほどの愛を子供達からもらうために私は何をしたのかな。何もしてないんだけど、こうやって一緒に笑っていられるのが本当に幸せだなって心から思う。幼稚園のみなさん、ありがとうございました。