All posts by TF Tribe

  • Reggio Emilia, the innovative approach

    The initial learning phase from birth to age 8 is crucial to achieving an effective outcome to a child's development. The Reggio Emilia Approach encourages students to learn in a self-guided manner through exploration and discovery.

    • Posted July 31, 2012
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  • Scoop of the month!

    Are you looking for some cold fix to beat the summer heat? Here’s our scoop of the month! 1. Fruit Gelato by Cold Stone Creamery The Cold Stone Creamery star of the season consists of 3 fruity...

    • Posted July 31, 2012
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  • Community News

    Tomari Beach (Shikinejima) One of seven islands in the Izu peninsula, Shikinejima is located 160 kilometers south of Tokyo.   It is known for its small charming coves, surrounding cliffs, white sand beach and turquoise water.  The fastest...

    • Posted July 31, 2012
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  • Summer weekend getaway

    Enoshima Aquarium Watch various sea animals in action. Bond with sea lions and dolphins or watch penguins do their funny tricks. Truly wholesome family entertainment. There are only two food corners, so it might be best to...

    • Posted July 2, 2012
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  • Do you download music and movies off the Internet?

    The Internet is filled with an endless array of information, among them popular entertainment media that is easily accessible. Take heed: downloading unauthorized content is now a criminal offense in Japan that can possibly land you in...

    • Posted July 1, 2012
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  • Is two years old too early for English lessons?

    Question: I’m planning to have my two year old child learn English. Is that too early? I’m sort of confused because some people tell me that it’s way too early to do so while others say the...

    • Posted July 1, 2012
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  • Community News

    Airports with Strollers Over the years, Emirates Airlines has consistently won awards for overall excellence in service.   Always ahead of the race in keeping passengers’ comfort a priority, global travelers to Dubai with small kids will be...

    • Posted July 1, 2012
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  • Broccoli and tuna scacciata

                        I know how many parents out there struggle every meal time just to get  their children to eat more vegetables.  Coming from Italy, the land of world...

    • Posted July 1, 2012
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  • Real Madrid’s Football Boot Camp for Boys and Girls

    Internationally renowned football team Real Madrid kids’ boot camp in six venues in Japan starts in July until August 2012.  Talented kids will be eligible to participate to train in Spain. The Real Madrid Foundation’s team camp...

    • Posted July 1, 2012
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  • Five kids inspire the world

    Not all kids are created equal. Although most children have talents and abilities unique to them, only a few are born with what may be the envy of many – an extraordinary gift.   Here’s five of my...

    • Posted May 31, 2012
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  • Home-made family pizza

    Sundays are when my wife takes a back seat from the kitchen so I can show my kids my culinary side from time to time.   When I am in charge of the kitchen, I want to serve...

    • Posted May 31, 2012
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  • Helping children avoid meltdowns during theme park vacations

    Theme parks can be overwhelming and exhausting experiences. There are usually crowds of people trying to navigate through the same small walkways. Much of the day is spent waiting in line. The rides may be loud or...

    • Posted May 31, 2012
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  • I’ll have mine with wabi-sabi

    In Western society we obsess about perfection. The perfect mate. Perfect car. Perfect job. Perfect looks. Perfect life. It never ends. As a collective we sand-down the edges of ‘real’ reality until there is no real substance...

    • Posted May 1, 2012
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  • Recycling leftover food

              I remember the very words of my grandma “never to waste food”. This is a good reminder especially for those who live in Japan where food is pricey. One of the reasons...

    • Posted May 1, 2012
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  • Pre-natal swimming in Tokyo

    Among the things a medical practitioner will tell you once pregnancy is confirmed is to take good care of your health.  This means abstaining completely from alcohol, eating a good balanced diet and doing a lot of...

    • Posted April 2, 2012
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  • Asakusa

    Prior to 1940, Asakusa (pronounced a-saku-sa) was the heart of Tokyo’s nightlife.  During the Edo period, this gastronomic, artistic and sensual playground was home to commoners, gangsters and priests.  It was also located a stone’s throw from...

    • Posted April 2, 2012
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  • How has Internet social networking affected children and their mental health care?

    Readers may remember that we had a column in the July 2010 issue regarding being "Hooked on the ‘Book." This time we would like to discuss some other aspects of mental health and social networking, some helpful,...

    • Posted March 1, 2012
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  • Baked kuromutsu

    Kuromutsu or Japanese blue fish is usually found throughout Japan’s coastline in the deep sea all year round. Seasonally, they are abundant in winter but you can find them in the Tsukiji fish market until early spring....

    • Posted February 29, 2012
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  • Parenting expert Juda Carter in Tokyo

    Juda Carter is currently a faculty member at California State University, Fullerton where she has been an Education consultant to schools and parents in the U.S.A. since the 1990s. To date, she has trained over 500 parents...

    • Posted January 31, 2012
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  • Sweet Valentine

      As Valentine rolls around,  sweet things come to mind.  What better way to express affection to your children than making them sweet cupcakes that appeal to sight and taste.  Kids adore cupcakes because they are light,...

    • Posted January 31, 2012
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  • The beauty of Russia

    There is plenty to admire about Russia. With the nation’s long and rich history, language, and major contributions over the centuries to the fields of  arts and literature,  the Russian culture came to be among the most...

    • Posted January 31, 2012
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  • Hold on to your dragons

    Divya Cherian, artist and founder of Bite the Rainbow International Art and Design, is all fired up for the Year of the Dragon, 2012.

    • Posted January 30, 2012
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  • Say what?

    Buzzworthy quotes by celebrity moms, dads, and children on what “family” means to them. “Family is important to me. When I talk about family, it makes me want to cry. My sister, my dad, and my mom;...

    • Posted December 30, 2011
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  • Community News

    Christmas Candle Act The Left Behind parents Japan (LBPJ) organized a candle rally in front of the Ministry Of Justice on Dec 22, 2011 in an appeal to Japan’s Ministry of Justice to review their concern on...

    • Posted December 30, 2011
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  • Winter soups

       Tomato and Cheese Soup •12 ripe tomatoes, chopped • 5 cups beef stock • 3 tablespoons Italian tomato paste • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • 2 teaspoons sugar • 3-5 chopped basil leaves • rock salt...

    • Posted December 30, 2011
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  • What are the do’s and don’ts of baby showers in Japan?

    Photo © Elena Derevtsova   Question: My husband’s Japanese work colleague and his wife are are expecting a baby soon and we’d like to throw them a baby shower.  Are there do’s and don’ts in Japan that...

    • Posted December 1, 2011
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  • Community News

    Stars welcome Roberto Cavalli to Japan   November 1 was a big night for Roberto Cavalli.  The Italian fashion guru flew to Tokyo to celebrate the grand opening of his very first flagship store in  Minami Aoyama...

    • Posted December 1, 2011
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  • Let it snow!

    It's a week before the New Year's holiday at a ski resort in Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido. The setting stirs my senses: soaring conifers, birches with pale trunks, cold odorless air, and popular music...

    • Posted December 1, 2011
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  • Musical mom: Eiko Hosaka-Tiernan

    “Speed is the best currency, and life rewards the bold,” sings Eiko Hosaka-Tiernan, vocalist for Tokyo-based acoustic folk-pop duo Nature Airliner, in their uplifting self-penned track, “Never Die” – a line that seems to define her story....

    • Posted November 2, 2011
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  • Family ski day trips

    Yes, day trip skiing from Tokyo is possible. Don’t let language barriers stop you from enjoying a fun day. Go out and discover what there is to see and experience while you are in Japan.Gala Yuzawa is...

    • Posted November 2, 2011
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