Learning Beyond Professor Mitani's Perspective
This edition of "Board Member Profiles" features Professor Daiki Mitani, who has been serving as a board member since last fiscal year.
While we usually receive contributions directly from our board members, this time, we are presenting an introduction written by our information dissemination staff, who has known Professor Mitani since before he became a board member.
Professor Mitani and Bino's first encounter was in 2011
I first met Professor Mitani at the Child and Childcare Research Institute, where Bino Bino still handles the secretariat duties, back when Professor Mitani was very active as a "young researcher."
The Child and Childcare Research Institute was founded by Professor Shiro Morigami, a researcher in early childhood education.
Our connection with Professor Mitani began when Bino Bino took over the office administration for the "Association for Thinking About the Future of Childcare," which operates under Professor Morigami.
(Though there may have been interactions before that, such as with student internships.)
The activities of the professors, who prioritize "quality over quantity in childcare" and "what is truly important for children," have been a great source of learning for us as we consider Bino Bino's activities and the role of our community spaces.
Within his gentle suggestions, he creates time for us to think about things as our own personal matters, asking, "What do you think about that?"
Professor Mitani's way of speaking is very easy to understand, and it is no wonder that the Mitani Seminar is so popular.
What we can learn from Professor Mitani's perspective
In the "NEWSLETTER" published by the Child and Childcare Research Institute for its members, Professor Mitani wrote in a "Tweet" (a rotating essay by members) around 2012:
I feel every day that the gaze of the teachers watching over the children not only supports us parents in our child-rearing, but that sharing the children's behavior with the adults around them and having it circulate makes our parenting as parents more interesting.
He wrote this while conveying the voices of parents,
because knowing how they spend most of their day at the nursery, and what they are currently interested in or concerned about, becomes a valuable resource for playing with my own child, and as a result, I feel that it leads to enjoying the very act of looking at my child from various perspectives.
he wrote.
His perspective reaffirms what we value in childcare and gives us new insights, making us nod in agreement, thinking, "Yes, exactly, that is what is important for children."
Professor Mitani's view on childcare is the very perspective of Professor Morigami and, by extension, Sozo Kurahashi, and I feel it resonates with the values we hold dear at Bino Bino.
The other day, he held a social gathering as the board member in charge of the licensed nursery school "Chiisana Tane Nursery School."
The nursery staff commented, that they learned a lot from Professor Mitani's perspective.
Professor Mitani's greeting upon assuming the position of board member
Finally, here is an excerpt from the message Professor Mitani shared when he became a board member.
Greeting from Professor Mitani upon becoming a Bino Bino board member (excerpt)
I recall that Bino Bino was born around the time I started studying childcare in graduate school (around 2000? I think it was February 2000?).
(Omitted)
While I felt honored to be asked to become a Bino board member, I also hesitated, wondering if I was capable of the role. However, feeling various connections (one of the board members, Yamada-san, was a classmate of mine in high school), I accepted, intending to do what I can.
Although I have been taught various things about Bino by my seniors, it is quite questionable how much I actually understand its inner workings.
However, while learning little by little from here on, I hope to fulfill what I can in my own way and contribute to Bino's activities in some form.
Professor Mitani, we look forward to working with you.
Information Dissemination Staff: Eguchi (Drop Staff)