Japanese speaking families and families who want their children to learn Japanese have interesting options in our neighborhoods for bilingual preschool with the most delicious food and Japanese Saturday schools for elementary school aged children and up!
Aozora Preschool in Clinton Hill is the only Japanese and English bilingual preschool in Brooklyn. Most children have some Japanese heritage but the school is open to everybody and they provide a meaningful cultural and language context through an immersive environment for ages 2 to 4 years. Healthy food is also a very important part of the Japanese culture. Their in house Kyusyoku chef, Natsuko-sensei prepares lunch and snacks in-house using high-quality and seasonal ingredients, organic whenever possible.
Aozora Elementary School Program is a Saturday and Wednesday after school option for elementary-school-age children to foster love of Japanese culture and language. They are offering Japanese Immersion Classes and Japanese Literacy Classes for students in Kindergarten and up. Find out more here.
The Brooklyn Japanese American Family Association runs Saturday School in Japanese. Saturday Japanese language classes take place at PS 261 in Boerum Hill. Classes are designed for children Pre-K or older to learn the Japanese language and culture while having fun. Annual tuition is around $2,100 and parents are expected to contribute their time to the program. While most kids have at least 1 Japanese parent, everybody is welcome to join. Find out more here.
Yoko’s Daycare in Park Slope offers a Japanese culture-infused environment with reading of children’s books and singing in Japanese as well as learning about different cultures by practicing certain customs including seasonal holidays, origami, using chop sticks and preparing food. Children of all backgrounds are welcome! Find out more here.
