CREATIVE KIDS TOP Workshop [Report] Kids Creative Lab at the University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus

Workshop

2015.05.19
[Report] Kids Creative Lab at the University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus

From a CANVAS Facebook post

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[Kids Creative Lab at the University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus]
On Sunday, May 17, the Lab at the University of Tokyo featured a physical expression program. We welcomed members of to R mansion—a performance group active both in Japan and
abroad—as special instructors, and the children took on the challenge of various forms of expression using their bodies.
First, everyone watched a performance by to R mansion. Everyone was mesmerized by their
fluid, expressive movements. Now, it was everyone’s turn.

While playing games everyone knows well, the children moved their bodies a lot and tried pretending to be objects or living things.
Before they knew it, they seemed to be using their bodies more and more freely.
For the challenge—"Create ○○ in pairs, groups of four, or groups of eight!"—they took on the task together with their friends.
What all 30 of them created together was a “tree.” In
every class, a large, vibrant tree took shape right in the middle of the classroom.

Finally, the children split into groups and use their bodies to act out “places.”
A flower garden, an amusement park, an aquarium, a park… What kinds of things might be there?
And if we were to depict them using only our bodies, how would we do it? As we talked, ideas kept pouring out from everyone.
During the presentations, cheers of “I see!” and “That’s just like it!” rang out from the children watching.

It’s so much fun to use tools and materials to make something.
But even without any of that, as long as you have your own body, you can make all sorts of things and have fun.
It was a fun 90 minutes where we learned all about that.


　

Profile


  • Digital Picture Book Author

    Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
    Director, B Lab
    Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
    Chairperson, CANVAS

    After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
    He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
    His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”