[Tokushima City] Former Special-Needs School Teacher Opens 'Oyakobiyori,' a Montessori Parent-Child Classroom for All, Regardless of Disabilities, in June

The Montessori Parent-Child Classroom 'Oyakobiyori' (Location: Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture; Representative: Hitomi Tamura) opened in June 2026 as a Montessori parent-child classroom for infants, toddlers, and their guardians, regardless of disabilities. The representative, leveraging her long experience working at a special-needs school, offers a learning space in small classes that caters to each individual's development and personality. It inherits the teaching materials and spirit of the 'Eikou Church' Montessori classroom, which was once beloved in the community before its regrettable closure, thus connecting the light of early childhood education in Tokushima to the next generation. Furthermore, upon opening, it has also started lecture activities for parents in collaboration with children's centers and childcare support centers in Tokushima City, contributing to childcare support for the entire community.

Website: https://oyakobiyori-monte-tokushima.my.canva.site/hp Trial Class Application: https://lin.ee/zH4caqD

[Classroom Overview] Location: Sumiyoshi, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture Target: Parents and children from pregnancy to 3 years old, and parents of children with developmental characteristics (no age limit) Content: Parent-child classes incorporating Montessori education

[Papa Mama Class] For expectant parents to learn about Montessori education (6 sessions total) ¥30,000 [Parent-Child Class Hajimari] 8 months to 1.5 years: 1-2 pairs (twice a month) ¥8,000, Enrollment fee ¥5,000 [Parent-Child Class Hirogari] 1.5 to 3 years: 1-2 pairs (4 times a month) ¥16,000, Enrollment fee ¥10,000

Other activities include community lectures, etc. Classes for 3-6 year olds are under consideration for the future.

Three Features of Montessori Parent-Child Classroom 'Oyakobiyori'

1. Led by a former special-needs school teacher, a learning space for all, regardless of disabilities - Individually optimized interaction: Utilizes experience gained from years of working with children at a special-needs school. - High level of expertise: Carefully caters to each individual's personality, regardless of developmental characteristics or disabilities. - Positive feedback from trial sessions: Highly praised by parents, with comments like, 'I've never seen my child so focused,' and 'They were overflowing with the feeling of 'I want to do it! I did it!''

2. Inheriting local tradition, utilizing teaching materials from the closed 'Eikou Church' Montessori classroom - A historical baton pass: Received warm support from those associated with the Eikou Church classroom, which was once beloved in Tokushima City before its regrettable closure. - Authentic materials: The classroom has received a donation of teaching materials, some of which were actually used by children in Tokushima in the past. - Inheriting the spirit: Keeps the flame of Montessori education, nurtured in the community, alive and passes it on to a new generation of parents and children.

3. Collaborating with children's centers and childcare support centers for community-wide childcare support - Activities in public spaces: Not limited to classroom operation, free courses are planned at children's centers and childcare support centers in Tokushima City from June 2026. - Preventing isolation: Supports parents who worry about 'not knowing how to spend time with my child' through lectures on child development. - Community partnership: Collaborates with local support hubs to help support the often-isolating period of early childhood parenting as a whole community.

Background of Establishment and Message from the Representative I myself struggled with the feeling of 'things not going as I wish' in my own parenting journey, which led me to systematically re-learn Montessori education. Through that, I realized that what's important isn't the superficial things like teaching materials, but the attitude of the adult who believes that 'children have the power to grow on their own' and supports it. The first 1000 days of infancy are a crucial period that builds the foundation for a lifetime. Currently, in Tokushima City, there are places for exam preparation and early education, but there are limited places like Montessori education where one can professionally learn about a child's internal growth and the parent's role. What grows at Oyakobiyori is the child, and the time between parent and child. The most important person to a child is their 'parent.' And for the parent, I believe the time with 'my child' now is irreplaceable. No matter how much you wish for it later, you can't get it back. I strongly wish not only for the child's growth towards future independence but also for the current happiness of the parent and child. Through this classroom and community lectures, I hope to share hints with parents in the region on how to enjoy the precious time with their children.

Instructor: Hitomi Tamura Qualifications: - Type 1 Special Needs School Teacher's License (Visual, Auditory, Intellectual, Physical, Health Impairments) - Type 1 Kindergarten Teacher's License - Type 1 Elementary School Teacher's License - Montessori Teacher Qualification (0-3 years) - Childcare Support Staff Qualification - Adlerian Psychology Level 1 (Japan Integrated Medical Association) *Currently obtaining Montessori Teacher Qualification (2.5-6 years)

Career: - Graduated from the Faculty of Education, Hiroshima University (Excellent Scholarship recipient) - Worked for many years at a special-needs school (received the Superintendent of Education Award) - Established the parent-child classroom 'Oyakobiyori'