Chapter 1 · the methods of childcare
The group is not the goal
Method (d) is about group activities — but it starts with something more basic: how children treat each other inside them.
Method (d)
Relationships first, effective activity second
Value the building of relationships between children and a mindset of mutual respect, and support them so that activity within the group actually becomes effective.
But here’s the key
A group is not automatically a team
Put ten children in a room and you have ten children in a room — not a group. What turns it into one is respect built one relationship at a time. Skip that step, and the “group activity” is just several children doing the same thing near each other.
In real life
Before the group song
Before we sing together each morning, I make sure every child has been greeted by name, one at a time. It costs two minutes. But a child who was seen individually first joins the group willingly — a child who wasn’t just gets swept into it.
A common misunderstanding
“Get everyone doing the activity.”
“A successful group activity means every child is participating in the task.”
“A successful group activity means every child feels respected enough to want to be in it.”
Why this matters to you
When a group activity falls apart, the fix usually isn’t a better activity. It’s checking whether the relationships underneath it are actually solid. Build the trust first; the group activity mostly runs itself after that.
Your turn
Which child in my group have I not really connected with today?
Find thirty seconds for them before the next group activity.
About Bond Japan
NPO Bond Japan
Bond Japan connects international schools so they can learn from one another and deepen a shared understanding of early childhood education and care.
