2015年4月10日（金）、東京都市二子幼稚園にて第61回入園式が挙行され、68名の新入園児が幼稚園の「おともだち」に加わりました。子供たちが式場の前に一生懸命練習した園児の努力が実り、園長の重永睦夫先生から元気な返事が褒められました。また、「明日からの登園で泣かないでね」という優しい言葉もありました。子供たちが親元から外の世界へ初めての一歩を踏み出すのは、本人だけでなく保護者の方々にとっても試練でしょう。
子供たちは幼稚園の生活に慣れつつ、元気で走り回ったり飛び跳ねあがったりする素晴らしい自由な感覚を失くさないでほしいと思います。

On Friday the 10th of April, 2015, the 61st Entrance Ceremony was held at Tokyo City University Futako Kindergarten, and 68 excited but nervous new kindergarteners joined the school. Many of the new kindergarteners practiced hard outside for their big debut, and were praised for their efforts by the principal. He also asked them not to cry the next morning when they left their parents for their first full day at kindergarten. Tomorrow will most likely be a difficult time for both the children and the parents, as the kids take the first step towards independence. As I watched them tearing around the room and standing on the furniture, I hope that they will soon get used to kindergarten life, but also that they don’t lose that wonderful freedom too soon.