TAIP Newsletter - Issue 4

Professional Development

Thank You WaNavi

Thank you to WaNavi for conducting an Earthquake Preparedness Workshop on February 19. We have received positive feedback from participants. Please visit them online for more information at https://www.wanavi.org.

Upcoming Professional Development

Our next online workshop will be on Wednesday, March 23, at 6:00 pm. Presenter Elizabeth Gillies, from Special Networks (www.specialnetworks.co.uk), will talk about "Transitions - good beginnings and good endings."

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Change is part of our everyday lives. It's what we all know in theory though often hard to live through, especially in these recent times of uncertainty in the pandemic.

Transitions can cause stress even when the change is a positive one – welcoming a new baby into the family, starting school, moving to a new class, starting a new job, moving to Japan! All changes are about fracture and reconnection.

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Visit our homepage for more information and to signup!

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Welcome Aboard

Please welcome our newest members, Berry English Nursery/Preschool Kawagoe (Institutional Member) and OBP Academy (Associate Member). Please visit their home pages to learn more about them.

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What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading? is a chance to let the TAIP community know about valuable books for early childhood educators.

Our first reader reports is from TAIP Secretary Merete Kropp (Komazawa Park International School):

"I recently read No Bad Kids, Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Lansbury. Although this book targets toddler behaviors, I believe much of it is also applicable to children of all ages. Each chapter is short and to the point, but the author provides concrete examples to illustrate her points. Lansbury, a RIE teacher and student of Magda Gerber, challenges many commonly held views and practices related to talking to children and disciplining them. After reading this book, I have recommended it to many teachers and parents. This has led to a number of interesting conversations about some of the ideas presented in the book, including the use of timers and the practice of using distractions to manipulate children's behavior." - Merete Kropp

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And our second is from TAIP President John Adduru (Ohana International School):

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"Uniquely Human: A Different Way to View Autism by Dr. Barry Prizant and Tom Fields-Meyer is recommended for readers who are interested in Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this book, the authors stipulated the importance of always asking “Why” when a behavior occurs and how to view it from their perspective. The main takeaway that I got from this book and what I always believe in was that autism is not a disease to be treated but rather a chance for us to accept and support them because they are a part of our neurodiverse society." - John Adduru

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If you would like to contribute a report, please use this form to let us know what you are reading, and we will be in touch: Book Review Form

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TAIP Online Resource Library

Volunteer Content Contributors

The TAIP Online Resource Library is a new project to create a knowledge hub for educators, parents, and school administrators.

We are looking for Educational Content Contributors for this project, and we need your help.

This is a volunteer project, and your contributions will be featured on our website. Our President would like to conduct its first meeting in April to explain the details to the volunteer content contributors. So please sign up and join us as we create this wonderful platform for all of us in the TAIP community.

Online Resource Library Volunteer Sign Up Form

(Please email John Adduru at president@tokyopreschools.org if you have any questions.)

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Reminders & Information

Director's Meetings

We have a monthly Zoom meeting for the leaders of TAIP member schools. This is an excellent opportunity for school leaders to get to know one another, exchange tips and ideas, share concerns, and engage in professional networking.

The meeting is held on the first Wednesday of each month at 11 am.

If your school leader is interested in participating, please send an email to TAIP Secretary Merete Kropp at secretary@tokyopreschools.org to be added to the email list of school leaders.

Community Resources for Covid Care (Uchi Sapo)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government started service last month to help people with Coronavirus who have mild symptoms and are recovering at home. The support line (0120-670-440) is available in 11 languages, and they can help set up a care package delivery, and other items such as a pulse oximeter.

Please check their website for more information: 自宅療養サポートセンター

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Thank you!

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