Turning a passion for English and early childhood education into a calling
Hitomi Ikeda started her own business by utilizing her love and talent for languages, which she excelled at since childhood, and her knowledge of early childhood education, which she became interested in after giving birth. We spoke with her about her early childhood education center, "Asobu Manabiya" (Playful Learning Center), which incorporates everything she has to offer, including childcare, languages, art history, and her work experience.
About current activities
—What kind of activities are you currently involved in, Ms. Ikeda?
I run "Asobi Manabiya," an art and English preschool, primarily in Ebina and Zama cities in Kanagawa Prefecture, sometimes utilizing online classes as well.
We offer various programs such as "Messy Play in English," where children can play without worrying about getting dirty with paint and powder while becoming familiar with English; "English Rhythmics," which combines English and rhythmic activities; and "Asobi STEAM Online," a STEAM education program where children can learn naturally while playing.
—What is it about?
Messy play is a type of play devised by Natsuho Aida of the Japan Association for Early Childhood Play Education, incorporating elements from Montessori education, the Reggio Emilia approach, and Steiner education.
Messy play has plenty of artistic elements. Touching, smearing, mixing, tearing, and scattering various materials such as paint, powder, and paper... these are types of play that are difficult to do at home. At "Playful Learning Center," we offer an original lesson called "Messy Play in English," which combines messy play with English.
In our "English Rhythmics" classes, we offer a lesson called "AMUSE Play," which combines art, music, and English. In addition to myself, we have a rhythmics and piano instructor, so the classes are run by two instructors.
During my time as a company employee, I found it difficult to balance work and childcare.
—Messy play is gaining recognition in early childhood education, and Ms. Ikeda, you also incorporate English into it. Have you always been interested in languages?
My experience attending English conversation classes when I was little led me to do a two-week homestay in Australia when I entered junior high school. I've always enjoyed learning and speaking foreign languages.
On the advice of my cram school teacher, I decided to apply to a university faculty other than English. Since I had always loved art, I majored in French at university. I was happy to be able to read a language I had never known before.
—You honed your language skills at university, but what about your job prospects?
At university, the first two years are spent studying the fundamentals of languages, and the latter two years are dedicated to specializing in a particular field for a graduation thesis. When I considered my career path, I decided to pursue a career in art, which I had loved since childhood: becoming a museum curator. However, a four-year bachelor's degree is insufficient to become a curator, so I also went on to graduate school.
However, the reality is that there are few art museums, and there are no openings for curators. Even if an opening does become available, it may not be in a museum that specializes in one's field of expertise.
—There aren't many museum curator positions available, are there?
Many people apparently wait for a museum curator position to open up, either by obtaining a doctorate or becoming a postdoctoral researcher (a fixed-term research position), but I thought that waiting forever wasn't worth it, so I got a job at a private company.
At my company, there were drinking parties every week, I had to leave early in the morning and work late at night, and the trains were always packed. I simply couldn't envision a future where I could work while pregnant or raising children, so I changed jobs after about three years. I worked as a company employee at two different companies while married.
Learn about early childhood education and make the challenges of parenting enjoyable.
—What sparked your interest in early childhood education?
For me, childcare was an unknown world. I learned how to bathe a baby and change diapers at a childbirth class run by the local government. But I felt that the childcare taught by the government was only a small part of the whole picture, and that's when I discovered early childhood education.
During my first pregnancy, I learned about various early childhood education methods, such as home-based childcare and Montessori education, which made me look forward to raising my child after birth. Of course, taking care of a baby is hard work, and things like a child's sleep schedule and potty training don't always go according to the ideals in parenting books.
Of course, not all intellectual development goes according to theory, but there are aspects where it does yield results if you put in the effort, which is a relief.
—It's wonderful that you can look forward to it. Wasn't it difficult to study early childhood education and take certified instructor courses while having children?
I think the difficulty of raising children varies depending on their personality, but my eldest son was a child who didn't sleep much. As a first-time parent, there were many things I didn't know, so when I started learning about early childhood education, it was to help raise my own child.
Then, my second son was born two years later. This time, he was a good sleeper, so I had a little more time to myself and started thinking about whether I could make early childhood education my job.
I am exploring ways to work while prioritizing my family.
—So you plan to continue working even after becoming a mother?
I had always wanted to work, so I took a course to become a translator while I was pregnant. However, I learned that it's difficult to get work without practical experience.
During the time I was raising my eldest son, I didn't have much free time and could barely go out, so I felt increasingly lonely at home. I constantly searched for a way to be recognized as a member of society and to have a job.
—I heard that you started studying for your certified instructor qualification just three months after giving birth to your second child.
That's right. As I looked into my desire to work, what I'm currently interested in, and what I've always loved since I was little, I was left with languages, art, and early childhood education. At just the right time, I came across "Messy Play," which combines elements of art, early childhood education, and play.
Immediately after giving birth to my second son, I applied to become a certified messy play instructor for the 4th term. The content was so engaging that I forgot to eat and sleep, and I resonated with the philosophy. I still continue to learn and grow with my fellow instructors.
While learning English using textbooks is good, some children may end up disliking English. It's easier for children to learn if they naturally incorporate it into play from a young age. I've created a course that incorporates English elements into messy play that parents and children can enjoy together.
Because the Zama classroom is close to a U.S. military base, we also hold "All English Messy Play" sessions where children can play with friends from all over the world.
Furthermore, at "Asobi STEAM Online," I provide online STEAM education combining science and art for children aged 3 to 8, and I am also the homeroom teacher for the English class.
English is the most widely spoken language in the world. One of the advantages of learning English from a young age is the abundance of English-language content available, such as anime and science programs, offering a wide range of choices. If children can speak English at a young age, they can enjoy content from all over the world and broaden their horizons.
Ikeda's future
—What has it been like actually starting your own business?
I feel that mom entrepreneurs are driven by a strong desire to do things "for the sake of children" and "for the sake of other mothers," stemming from their own experiences in life. Their strength lies in their ability to meticulously address niche needs that are difficult for large corporations to meet.
My current job is a lifelong pursuit that I want to cherish.
I can contribute to society while cherishing my children and family. Because it's something I enjoy, I find it fun to think about what I can do to support my children's growth, even outside of work hours.
—Finally, please tell us about your dreams for the future.
I love English, and I want to continue teaching it for a long time. In the future, I'd like to expand the range of age groups I teach by enriching the content with topics such as "English and Science" and "English and Art."
Hitomi Ikeda
Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies with a major in French, and completed graduate studies in Art History at the University of Tokyo.
She runs a preschool called "Asobi Manabiya" (Playful Learning Center) while raising two children in Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
《A place to learn through play》
Official website here
Ameba Blog here
Instagram here
Facebook here
Email: asobumanabiya@gmail.com
Official LINE ( For inquiries, applications, and registrations via LINE, please click here )
Contact information for inquiries about the classroom
For inquiries about the classroom, please use the "Contact Us Form" on our official website or our official LINE account.
AsobiSTEAM Online, a STEAM education program combining science and art, is currently accepting applications for students starting in April 2024.
* "Guchagucha Asobi" and "AsobiSTEAM" are trademarks of the Japan Association for Infant and Toddler Play Education.
