Child-Centered Childcare Practice Creates Community Connections

Kids Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Fumihito Kamano) conducted a year-long art project at 'Hinatabokko,' an in-hospital nursery at Shima Prefectural Hospital in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, focusing on children's agency and expressive play. At the end of the fiscal year, they held an exhibition of the children's work in the hospital lobby. After viewing the exhibition, painter Hiroshi Kiyosaki expressed deep interest and empathy for the children's work, which led to a showcase at his own atelier. This initiative is an example of how the richness of each child's expression, supported by the nurturing skills of the staff and the positive relationships with the hospital, parents, and the community, can expand.

At Hinatabokko, staff respected each child's feelings and interests, incorporating expressive play into daily care. The practice prioritizes the process of children encountering materials, colors, and shapes, and exploring their own thoughts, rather than seeking a finished product or a uniform correct answer. By carefully observing the children's ideas, staff helped bring out a variety of unique works.

The exhibition in the hospital lobby provided an opportunity for patients and staff to appreciate the children's expressive richness, serving as a platform for sharing this within the community. The project was realized thanks to the understanding and cooperation of the hospital and the trust built with parents.

Following the lobby exhibition, painter Hiroshi Kiyosaki remarked, 'This expression is the origin of art,' and subsequently exhibited the works at his studio in an exhibition titled 'Learning from the Pure and Innocent Forms of Young Children.' Nursery Director Sachiyo Hiro reflected, 'As adults genuinely enjoyed the process, the children's expressions became increasingly free.'