Nihonmachi Little Friends

 

32

90

Jessica S.

Bethesda, MD

5/30/2008

In response to Toni H's Review, I have to stand tall for my 1st Alma Mater.

I attended Nihonmachi Little Friends from late 1985, when I was 2 and 1/2 years old, until I enrolled in a private all-girls school for Kindergarten in 1988, at the tender age of 5 years. Yes, Japan was a much stronger and vibrant cultural community, and yes, I walked away from the preschool with much more than a bilingual education, where I could speak, read and write in both Japanese and English.  It is also a great preschool for those who have 2 working parents - providing care from 7:30am - 5:30 pm. Many preschools, even those that are more exclusive and expensive, don't offer those kinds of hours.

My first teacher there was Esther Lam, and in all my time in school and work, I have never ever met a kinder, gentler, nor better educator. Esther handled me for the first 3 months, while I cried every.single. day. Everyday, when my mom dropped me off at Sutter Site. Most preschools would have given up on a child after about 2 weeks. Not Nihonmachi, and not Esther. Not only did she teach me how to read and write in both English and Japanese, but she also taught the whole school songs in Cantonese, along with some basic Spanish Language songs as well.

Little Friends has ALWAYS embraced diversity - I am half African-American and half Caucasian, and they welcomed me with open arms. They have had teachers from varying racial backgrounds - not only did I have Esther as a teacher, but I also had Janice Hall, who is African-American, so you certainly cannot say that they limit themselves in that aspect. They teach and celebrate almost every single holiday out there - from Christmas to Children's day, Chinese New Year to Cinco De Mayo. If it has Culture, they jump on it and embrace it. Yes, it's Japan-Centric, but do you see people jumping all over NDV, probably the most prestigious Catholic school in the city, for being Franco-Centric? No, because that's their focus, and it's a good thing.

I have to say simply - I loved my experience here. I have come back and volunteered my time, and while Toni H. may call it "strict", I consider it to be welcoming. You know that they haven't really altered their system since I attended? That's great, because children at that age need a stable routine. I would not have come back if I did not think it was worth my time. I have attended 2 other private schools, and 1 University following Little Friends, and you know where I send my money? Here.

I admit, I am biased, because I attended the school and had a lovely experience here. The teachers are organized and warm, the curriculum diverse and challenging. Yes, they don't handle special needs children, but nor do many other pre-schools in the city who cater to the "public". Preschoolers are a handful enough when they don't have special needs - and I also feel that perhaps educators need more education and training when it comes to that aspect. I am sure that there are lovely preschools in the city that are both diverse and cater to that subset of the population.

However, if I am still in SF and popping out kids with Little Friends still around, you betcha I'm going to try to get them into here. Cathy Inamasu is doing a great thing with this education center, allowing children to embrace and learn about a country and a culture that they otherwise would not.

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5

2

Daphina M.

San Francisco, CA

11/3/2009

This is an amazing  program. I  had my eldest son there when he was a small child attending pre-school , he is now 18, working, and in college, and now my youngest son who attended the pre-school program and now attends Nihonmachi Little Friends After School program. The teachers are caring, and thoughtful, and highly intelligent. They work well with your children, and expose them to the Japanese culture. This is important to me because my children are not Japanese, but I have found that the principals taught, and the language learned are invaluable. My 8 y/o who has been in the program since he was 2 1/2 is now fluent in speaking, and writing Japanese! This will surely prove to be invaluable as he grows up in a world that is increasingly Global, yet as small as a cell phone. I would recommend this school to any parent who is looking at providing, a loving, safe, nurturing, and educational environment for there child.

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46

56

Hodie K.

San Francisco, CA

7/10/2007

This is mostly in response to Toni H's review.

Kathy Inamasu, who I am quite familiar with and have worked with in the past as a volunteer at NLF, does employ a rather old school philosophy towards the staff and students.  This is good and bad, but mostly good, because it maintains stability.  Her philosophy has maintained NLF in good standing and the establishment has been a Japan Town mainstay for decades, and there is a lot to be said about that for an area of SF that has gone through many, many, many changes.  Sometimes change is not always good.

Let's not kid ourselves here.  NLF does have its limitations as far as catering to special needs children and being focused on every language and culture in San Francisco, the latter being an impossibility in the city we live in.  That's why there are schools that cater to special needs children; that's why there are other schools, period.  If you have a problem with NLF, don't send your kid there.  Simple.  For the record, and I do have records, I have not had one family complain about how their child has turned out since graduating from NLF about its "ethnocentric" ways.

Does NLF really lack progressiveness?  Have you seen the children in attendance?  One ethnicity does not dominate attendance.  As with the world in which we live in, NLF's children are multiethnic, whether they are full Japanese or not.  

These children are surrounded by diversity in SF and in school; NLF embraces this.  NLF is not ethnocentric.  It is a school founded by Japanese/Japanese Americans and it has retained its roots.  It introduces non-Japanese children (or children who are not familiar with the Japanese culture) the Japanese culture and further promotes the Japanese culture to those already familiar with it; Toni is claiming this lacks progressiveness.  On the contrary, it is taking one culture it specializes in and promotes it in a non-threatening, non-manipulative way.  The children come out of NLF with a higher understanding of another culture; NLF does not Japan-wash their students where when they go home, they have to watch Doraemon and eat cereal with chopsticks.

"If your child is in need of language development, appropriate to the American culture, avoid Nihonmachi, as many of the staff lack proper English language skills"

Hmm, okay, what school do you suggest?  The United Nations?  Again, let's not kid ourselves here.  Such a school that specializes to the melting pot that is America at the pre-school level simply does not exist.  NLF is one alternative to introducing cultural differences to your children.  

NLF, even with some of its staff having language limitations (yes, I do agree with Toni that not all the teachers are perfect in English), their staff is diverse enough to the point where it is not an issue.  Even then, do you think pre-school children can tell the difference between "dericious" and "delicious?"  No, they just teach them to say "oishii" and now they know there are ways to say one thing in a different language.  NLF is a pre-school.  The kids spend more time playing than they do with language exercises.  The school does know it has to promote the physical aspect of developing children as well as the mental aspect.  

The language argument is moot.  Your child will not come out of NLF with a Japanese accent as Toni H. is alluding to.  In most instances, if your child goes to a school where children and teachers only speak English, then that child will eventually forget all the Japanese (and other languages) s/he has learned at NLF.  

We are talking about 3 - 5 year olds who adapt quickly.  There will be certain things your child will retain forever from NLF, but they certainly won't be brainwashed and hampered from learning a new language or adapting to the American culture.  If they live in America, they will become American.  

Toni H. is saying NLF forces culture onto the children, which is far from the truth and quite a malicious implication on a school that devotes its time and effort for the community - a community that is changing, yes, but a community that is still called Japan Town.  Maybe Japan Town needs to change its name to Multicultural Town before NLF changes its teaching foundation?  Hey, here's an idea, why doesn't NLF start teaching their children about gay pride because you know, SF is THE epicenter of homosexuality, so I've been told.  I mean really, get with the times NLF!

If your child has special needs, there are alternative solutions for your child than NLF.  It is true, they are not equipped to handle "special needs" children.  Though, I'm not sure what Toni H. means by "special needs."

In closing, while NLF has its limitations in adapting to every culture known to man, which is what SF embodies, it needs to be given its due recognition for its rock solid presence in the Japan Town community.  NLF is one of the few schools that is liberal in embracing all cultures while maintaining its root

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