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The Story Studio (Kids)

English Beyond the Classroom: A "Read & Create" immersion program where children ages 4–7 build confidence and English skills through a monthly Story-to-Studio cycle of functional art.

Philosophy

At Riverside English Studio, we believe language is best learned when children are having fun and making things. In the Story Studio Program, we move away from traditional desk-based lessons to provide a relaxed "Third Place" for young creators.

We use world-class picture books as a springboard for creativity. Children acquire English naturally as they experiment with tactile art techniques, such as painting, sculpting, and collage-making, to create useful items they can take home and enjoy.

Program Structure

Small-Group Focus: We maintain an intimate, mixed-age setting (ages 4-7) with a maximum of 6 children per session.
Weekly English Immersion: One 45-minute session per week.
A Year of Story & Growth: Our program follows four seasonal terms (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter).
- Term Breakdown: 10 core sessions per term + 1 "Buffer Session" for scheduling flexibility.
- ANNUAL TOTAL: 40 core sessions + 4 "Buffer Sessions".

How We Learn

We spend two sessions on each storybook. This gentle pace allows children to absorb new English vocabulary and art techniques without feeling rushed.

The Monthly Theme: Each month features a new creative focus, like Colors & Confidence (April).
The Two-Session "Read & Create" Cycle:
Session 1: Exploration. We dive into a world-class storybook and experiment with artistic styles. Children focus on discovery and sensory play as they absorb the language of the story.
Session 2: Purposeful Creation. We apply our new skills to build a high-quality craft. This tangible outcome gives your child a sense of pride and a way to use their English at home.

The Studio Extras

All Materials Provided: We feature a rich mix of media—from artist-grade tools to natural elements and upcycled cardboard. We teach our creators that imagination transforms any object into art.
The Studio Library: To encourage a love for reading beyond the studio, children can borrow one English book every week from our collection.

Studio Fees

One-Time Entrance Fee: ¥10,000 (Tax incl.)
- Grand Opening Campaign (For those joining during our first year): ¥0
Monthly Fee: ¥8,500
Materials Fee: ¥500 / month
TOTAL MONTHLY FEE: ¥9,000 (Tax incl.)

Cashless Studio Policy: All session fees and material fees are collected automatically via Square Invoices (Credit Card or Bank Debit Card).
Billing Cycle: Payments are processed on the 26th of the previous month to secure your child's spot for the upcoming cycle.

Attendance & the "Home Studio Kit"

Because our groups are small and curated, we cannot offer physical make-up sessions or refunds for individual absences. However, we want to ensure your child remains connected to our term's journey.

The Home Studio Kit

If your child misses a session, they will receive a curated kit at their next visit. This includes:

The Story Link Card: A physical card featuring a private QR code to a read-aloud video of the session's book. This allows your child to hear the story in a familiar voice and enjoy a "mini-session" with you at home.
Creative Prompt: A session-related activity sheet designed to bring the studio's art project to your kitchen table using everyday home supplies.

The Riverside Guarantee (Buffer Sessions)

Every term (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) consists of 10 core sessions and 1 built-in Buffer Session.

The Bonus: On a standard term without facilitator cancellations, the Buffer Session becomes a Special Event Session (For example, Collaborative Murals, Puppet Theater, etc.)
The Backup: If a session is cancelled by the facilitator due to an emergency, the Buffer Session becomes our dedicated Make-up Day.

A Note on Solo Facilitation: Riverside is a solo-facilitator studio. While I strive for perfect attendance, the Buffer Sessions exist to account for rare instances of personal illness, family emergencies, or extreme weather (such as typhoon warnings in Osaka). This ensures that even when life happens, your child still receives their full 10 sessions of learning.