When You Feel Reluctant
If you think,
“If I go, I can do it,”
even if you’re hesitant,
step forward.

If you wonder,
“Why is it just me?”
but know that taking action yourself is the best way,
then just go for it.

If you’re the only one against something,
and you know it’s wrong,
then stand up and say, “Let’s not do this.”

February 28, 1979 – Yuji Yasuda

Think on your own, find your own way,
and create something new.

Understand others,
join forces,
and help one another.

– Yuji Yasuda

Teacher, this is fun!
Let’s do more.
Let’s try again tomorrow!
Let’s keep going for a while.

With a little tweak,
it got even more fun.
How about changing this part?
Let’s try it at the sports festival!

August 1998 – Yuji Yasuda

The group checks,
“Is everyone here?”
The teacher confirms again.
Children and teacher alike,
their eyes shine with excitement.

Children race ahead,
running, climbing, sliding.
The differences in skill
become clear and undeniable.
Yet they accept it naturally,
each discovering their own goal.

Do not hide individual differences.
In a wide range of activities,
many unique talents shine.
By recognizing one another,
we bring out the best in each other.

August 1, 2002 – Yuji Yasuda

The wonder of a young mind.

Toddlers toddle, running toward us,
red, blue, yellow, green— they see the ladder,
“Here! Up this way!”

They step closer, touch,
start climbing, come down, then climb again.

From the top, they gaze around,
reach out, grasp the bar,
their hands and feet moving in sync.
They call the teacher— and jump!

Sitting between two bars,
they swing their legs, completely absorbed.

From below, they stretch up,
fingertips reaching, gripping the monkey bars—
feet lift off, suspended in midair.

Raising their legs,
flipping upside down—
a little bat hanging free.

Motivation, focus, joy—
growing vibrantly, full of life.

August 4, 2004 – Yuji Yasuda

I begin with my own thoughts,
I give my best effort,
I move forward in my own way,
I keep going toward my goal, determined.
I don’t give up, I endure.
Each time I succeed, I’m filled with joy,
overcoming one thing at a time.

Together with my friends,
there are many different people.
There are often things that don’t match,
but we talk it through and understand.
Our goal is the same, we join hands and move forward.
Our strengths are different,
but when they come together, we’re strong.
We praise each other, lift each other up, and share joy.
Even though we’re all different, each of us gives our best,
and that’s how we can do it.

August 2007 – Yu

To bring real joy to children,
To dedicate my whole heart and soul to them,
To create spaces where they can immerse themselves fully,
To nurture the future of Japan,
And the children who will carry the world on their shoulders,
To make their growth and development genuine and meaningful.

Yuji Yasuda

When teaching,
Those who are skilled are satisfied,
But those who struggle feel inferior,
True joy is few and far between.

However, when we immerse ourselves in what we can do,
Our skills rise and improve,
Joy fills our entire being,
Through motivation and delight,
We grow in the right, beautiful, and strong way.

August 3, 2010 – Yuji Yasuda

The Results of Goals and Plans

Children move with energy,
Their eyes are wide open and shining,
Their ears are attuned to everything around them,
Their breath is lively and full of vigor,
Their feet quickly push off the ground,
Their hands move skillfully,
Each child, in their own way,
Their whole body is full of life.

Children are playing with joy,
They are focused on their goals and excited,
They clearly understand and follow the rules,
They are putting their strength together,
They are putting their creativity into action and improving,
They are taking on more difficult skills and techniques,
They are striving to make their fun even greater.

August 2, 2001 – Yuji Yasuda

The Children Say

“This is fun!”
“I’ll keep trying, keep trying!”
“If I try, I can do it!”
“Look, I’ve gotten better!”
“Teacher, watch me, I’m giving it my all!”
“Let’s do it again!”
“Teacher, you were tired, but let’s try again!”
“Teacher, don’t stop now, let’s keep going!”
“Let’s continue tomorrow!”

August 1997 – Yuji Yasuda

The Free and Independent Child

What children want to do,
it’s not because they get bored quickly,
or because they’re selfish,
but because
the teacher has a careful planbr> and a deep understanding of what lies ahead.

The way children like to do things,
it’s not because they run into obstacles quickly,
or cause trouble for others,
but because
the teacher’s attentive care
and brilliant planning make it possible.

August 2000 – Yuji Yasuda

“Wow, that looks fun! I want to try it!”
Children are the ones who see and hear,
then immediately start moving.
“I don’t want to do it, it’s not fun.”
Some children don’t feel motivated,
their hearts are not in it.

“They’re scared, it’s dangerous, I don’t want to do it.”
They can’t make a move,
hesitating, holding back.

But everyone can do it,
let’s start with something we can do right now.
In the flow of everyone moving,
motivation will naturally arise.
Each child will find their own way,
moving together with others,
in their own way.

Together, yet each individual,
everyone is immersed,
enjoying it, passionately,
giving their all.
August 8, 2003 – Yuji Yasuda

Failing and hitting obstacles,
with each time, I become stronger.
Yu

Is This the Ideal Sports Day?

Should teachers just directly teach children the activities they have learned or planned for,
and have them perform in the sports day (training them through drills)?
In such performances, children are often thinking, “If I make a mistake, it will be bad.”
Their faces reflect a serious expression, sometimes mixed with fear.
Even if they are applauded,
have they truly felt the satisfaction of engaging in the activity with full enthusiasm?

Wouldn’t it be better if every child participated with their own motivation,
putting their whole strength (mind and body) into the activity,
becoming immersed in it,
and ending with a sense of fulfillment?

If not, can we really call it a sports day in the context of childcare and education?
Yuji Yasuda

Introduction
The children’s eyes are focused on the teacher,
watching the teacher’s eyes and mouth,
and capturing every movement the teacher makes.

As the teacher speaks a single word,
the children, while watching,
move quickly, each in their own way,
even though only one word was said.

It wasn’t because they were told to move,
but because they had been waiting for those words.
Each child responded to that one word,
and each moved in their own way.

Yu

Introduction

Their faces flushed red,
breathing heavily,
eyes wide and shining,
each and every child,
totally absorbed,
immersed in the joy of play.
I want to clearly capture
the children,
lost in their excitement.

Yu

Foreword

Children are seeking,
to put forth all their strength
and move freely.

Children know,
that moving with all their might,
playing is fun.

Children are waiting for the teacher,
to provide the means
so they can play with all their strength.

Yu

Foreword

Children believe,
that a single word from the teacher
can make them jump and soar.

Children are waiting,
for that one word from the teacher
so they can jump out and start running.


Children are eager,
to take the teacher’s words, make them their own,
and spread their wings freely.

Yu

Foreword

Every day is filled with joy,
immersed in exciting play.
The children find satisfaction
in their intense play.
Day by day, they are absorbed,
building up experiences through play.
Through play, children grow,
forming their humanity.

Yu