Classes

Third Space Tokyo classes are designed for children ages 5-10. They can be thought of as language acquisition and communication classes. The best way to find a class that suits your needs is to contact Lisa Hosokawa through this website's Contact page. A rough guideline showing what we typically see at each age group is shown below. The button will take you to a page that shows a past class offered for this age group.     

Age 5-6

Kids of this age are full of stories but for the listener the story is sometimes confusing. Drawing and writing helps with keeping track. A paper with marks gives the child and listeners a place for joint attention. Both child and listeners find it easier to think about the story being told. Very few children at this age can write at a speed that keeps up with their thoughts. Simple drawings can be done more quickly and are a better indication of the complexities of the child's thinking.

Age 7-8

This is a crucial age when teachers and parents sometimes give children the message that they should draw less and write more; look at pictures less and read more. Really the child benefits from continued engagement with both images and text. Experience is the best foundation for vocabulary growth and comprehension, but a child will be reading about many more topics than s/he has actually experienced. Continuing to keep drawing in the mix promotes visualization and deeper understanding.

Age 9-10

By this point, the physical act of writing has become much easier. The bigger challenge is keeping up motivation and confidence, especially if the child is having experiences at school or elsewhere that reinforce an "I don't like to write" or "I can't draw" mindset. Children of this age benefit from bigger creative projects that introduce them to how ideas are generated and implemented in the adult world. Emotional ups and downs are expected, and providing steady support is a big part of the facilitator's role.