The Himawari Japanese Playgroup | A Gallery from Asian Report | RNZ National

Imagine The Very Hungry Caterpillar or The Tiger who came to Tea in Japanese. It started as an informal and small gathering of mums in Wellington about 10 years ago, now the Himawari Japanese Playgroup meet regularly once a week in Wellington, to keep their language and culture alive.

Action song!

Active play.

Children crossing!

Children listen.

Haruyo and baby Emma (five months).

Himawari, the sunflower.

Hina eats playlunch.

Japanese children soak up their language.

Koko listens to dad read.

Little Hina holds up one of her favourite books.

Machiko (mum) reads and her son Owen (2) snuggles!

Making masks for Easter.

Michi (dad) and his daughter Koko.

Michi (dad) reads to the playgroup while Koko listens in.

Negotiating track space.

Parents catch-up too.

Playlunch.

Playlunch.

President Asuka Milne and daughter.

Starting total immersion young.

The craft table - making bunny masks.

The library of Japanese books.

Toddler area.

Very happy toddler!

Warwick (dad) and son Jack (2).

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