Teachers Who Inspire: Building bright beginnings for Preschoolers

Marisa Aoyama, Preschool Curriculum Coordinator, offers a warm and grounded perspective on what great preschool learning looks like.

We sat down with Marisa to hear her thoughts on early childhood education at Laurus. She explains how the curriculum at Laurus is shaped around the youngest leaners, and how the everyday micro moments make this stage of childhood so formative. What comes through clearly is a simple but powerful belief: that children, given the right environment, are far more capable than we often give them credit for.

Q: What’s your background, and what brought you to early years education?

A: I am currently in my 10th year of working in early years education in Japan. I chose this field because the early years play such an important role in a child’s overall development. Supporting children during their earliest learning experiences and watching them grow emotionally, socially, and academically is incredibly rewarding.

Q: How do you approach designing a curriculum for such young learners?

A: My approach to curriculum design is grounded in experience, strong teacher collaboration, and on-going classrooms support. I regularly visit all our schools to provide guidance and remain closely connected with both educators and students. By working alongside our dedicated team of educators, we are able to reflect, share ideas, and create meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support every child’s growth.

Q: What does a really great day in preschool look like to you?

A: A great day in preschool is seeing the little joys and everyday achievements we see in each child. Seeing children walk into school with a big smile, it shows they feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. These everyday moments are what make preschool such a special place.

Q: How do you support children who are finding the transition into school life tricky?

A: We begin by offering comfort, understanding, and reassurance. Every child adjusts at their own pace, so it’s important that they feel heard and supported. When children know they are in a safe and fun environment, transitioning becomes much easier. Partnering closely with parents is also essential, working together ensures each child’s needs are met, nurtured, and respected.

Q: What do you wish more parents knew about how young children learn?

A: I wish more parents knew just how capable young children are. Independent and life skills can be introduced as early as one year old. At Laurus, we place strong emphasis on allowing children to discover their own abilities. We encourage them to understand how amazing their bodies are and take pride in what they can do independently.

Q: What do you love most about being part of the Laurus community?

A: What I love most about the Laurus community is our focus on holistic growth. We look beyond academics and truly support the emotional, social, and physical development of every child. We encourage students to reach their highest potential in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Q: What makes Laurus Preschool different from other preschools in Tokyo?

A: Laurus Preschool is unique because although we offer a wide range of curriculum areas, science is at the center of everything we do. We believe there is science in everything, which encourages children to explore, question, and think critically from an early age.

Q: Based on your interactions with parents, what do they say about their child’s experience at Laurus?

A: We maintain open and consistent communication with parents through daily newsletters, physical record books, and regular conversations during arrival and dismissal times. These open channels help build trust, which is very important to us. Parents often share how happy they are to see their child’s everyday milestones and progress, and they truly value the strong partnership we build together.