Two Modes of Childcarer in Ogawa Hirohisa’s Theory on Early Childhood Education and Care

Abstract

This paper attempts to clarify the two modes of the child carer in Ogawa Hirohisha’s theory of early childhood education and care. A child carer who is looking after children operates in one of two modes; the first mode is supporting children’s play while the second is overseeing children’s relationships and their play. To oversee children’s relationships and play, child carers should be liberated from supporting children’s play (having a relationship with children). Ogawa says that child carers must switch freely between the two modes. The most suitable place to oversee children’s relationships and play is in the corner of a nursery school’s classroom that is devoted to making things. In this corner, a child carer invites children to make something while overseeing children’s play in other play corners. Room must be made in the central space of the nursery school’s classrooms for a child carer in the corner to oversee children’s relationships and play.