The Yokota Child and Youth Programs (CYP) consist of NAF, GS and Japanese National employees. Providing all day, before, after school and summer care to the children of the community. Whether it’s planning activities, playing games, growing interests, getting children ready for elementary school or teaching fine and gross motor skills, these teachers do everything in their power to care and create an enriching environment. “Daily routines, basically coming in the morning and making sure that when my children enter the room they’re entering a room with positive energy setting the mood right to make them as comfortable as possible” said Charmaine St Louis, a Child Development Center (CDC) room lead. These teachers know that a healthy environment makes all the difference when trying to shape little minds. All teachers plan, create and implement lessons that strengthen cognitive, social, emotional and motor skills.
While at School Age Care (SAC), teachers are responsible for areas rather than classrooms. Aside from strengthening much needed skills at both programs, these teachers also give a safe and loving environment for children to flourish and develop into their own. “One of the things I like to do is inspire children to use their imaginations and explore creativity. Getting to explore things they normally wouldn’t explore.” said Dennis Patton, a CDC room lead. Lesson planning for babies doesn’t seem like a hard job, but a lot of time, effort and work goes into each activity so they can provide the necessary practice for each student. At School Age, these teachers spend around seven hours a day engaging in recreation and gearing activities to their students interests. They not only implement educational activities, their main goal is education through recreation. Allowing students to foster interests and grow social skills outside the normal classroom atmosphere. “Being a School Age
