Nagoya: Alive International School children express gratitude to local firefighters

Children proudly showing their letters to the firefighters.

Alive International School, operated by Alive Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture; Representative Director: Hiromi Mitsui), held 'Thank You Week' from Monday, May 11, to Saturday, May 16, 2026. As part of this initiative, the children visited the Fujizuka Branch of the Nagoya City Fire Department's Higashi Fire Station and presented handmade message cards to the firefighters who protect the city's safety.

This initiative is an annual educational activity conducted across all Alive schools, aiming to foster non-cognitive skills such as empathy, compassion, and communication by encouraging children to express gratitude to those around them. During the week, children expressed their appreciation for family and friends through messages and arts and crafts, while also delivering gratitude to people working in their community.

Expanding the Circle of Gratitude to the Community

Alive actively expands the circle of gratitude beyond families to the wider community. Previously, children have delivered cards and words of appreciation to food suppliers, convenience store staff, and local residents who watch over the area around Alive English School's Higashi branch. This year, they visited the Fujizuka Branch of the Higashi Fire Station to thank the firefighters who keep our daily lives safe.

Photos with Firefighters

It was impressive to see the children eagerly explaining the cards they had made, saying things like, 'I wrote this!' 'I drew this!' and 'Look!' They also interacted with the firefighters, asking questions like 'How can I become a firefighter?' and 'You look so cool!' The firefighters warmly welcomed the children, providing valuable experiences such as fire truck tours and commemorative photos.

Handmade Bouquets and Gratitude for Families

Children also crafted original flower bouquets for their families. Each bouquet included a message card written in English, which the children happily presented to their guardians at pickup time.

During 'Thank You Week,' the school tracked 'who children wanted to thank,' and everyone chose their families. This reflects that noticing and expressing appreciation for the daily support of their families provides a vital opportunity to develop hearts of gratitude and empathy.

Why Continue 'Thank You Week'?

Alive continues 'Thank You Week' not just to cultivate the habit of saying 'thank you,' but to help children realize they are supported by many people. By noticing the kindness in everyday life—such as parents cooking meals or neighbors watching over them—children learn to see beyond their own needs. Furthermore, since expressing emotions in words can be challenging in Japan, providing experiences to convey gratitude from a young age is considered crucial for fostering communication skills and self-esteem for the future.