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is a Japanese preschool for
two to six years olds held under the auspices of The First United Methodist
Church of San Gabriel. The school fosters Japanese children through the
principles of Christian teaching and the Japanese culture and customs using
Japanese as the primary means of communication.
The school is an integral part of First United Methodist Church of San Gabriel, a non-profit religious institution, through which it is licensed by the State of California. It is subject to inspection by the California State Department of Social Services.
The primary goals of KODOMO NO IE: 1. to provide a positive, healthful and encouraging environment for learning and growing 2. To provide an atmosphere in which self-esteem may be developed as well as promotion of group identity, cooperation and good behavior 3. To prepare the child for further educational experience using the Japanese philosophy of education
KODOMO NO IE provides a Japanese community with a preschool model that offers an educational experience which can be continued in either Japan or the United States. It offers Japanese business offices in the Los Angeles area, the opportunity to provide their employees a means of education for their young children to prepare them for school in Japan upon the family’s return. However, recently many children from China, Thailand and other countries are learning Japanese amongst the Japanese students.
KODOMO NO IE is supported by a district Christian orientation. The director, Kazuko Umehata, is a member of The United Methodist Church. The Pastor of the San Gabriel Church meets monthly with children for their birthday celebration; their birthday memory gifts support the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
KODOMO NO IE participates in introducing Japanese culture at the Japanese garden in The Huntington Memorial Library every year. All activities are hand made by the children. The main events are held on March 3rd (Hinamatsuri-Girl’s Dan), May 5th (Kodomo no Hi-Boy’s day) and July 7th (Tanabata-Star Festival). These events have been held for 10 years and have become an essential part of the programs at The Huntington Memorial Library. The children also go to a Japanese Nursing Home twice a year and sing songs and play games along with the members there.
The on-going activities of KODOMO NO IE are supervised by a joint committee composed of members of Sage United Methodist Church (an historically Japanese-American Church) and the First United Methodist Church of San Gabriel.
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