NPO Reprints Network

REPRINTS “Reading Picture Books to Children” is a Bridge between Young and Old

Picture books convey various emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow and happiness to children's hearts through stories. They also attract many generations, including the senior generation who long for "old days."
Selecting suitable picture books from a numerous collection, reading them in detail, and rehearsing repeatedly is a highly intellectual activity for the senior generation.
"REPRINTS," reading picture books project run by senior volunteers, is an attempt to restore intergenerational ties building a bridge between "old days" when adults and children were connected in a community and “picture books”
Through communication by reading picture books aloud every week and by listening to the story, children, seniors, and surrounding generation charge their mind nourishment each other and promote their wellness - that is the hope of "REPRINTS."

Why Now Intergenerational Exchange?

In developed countries facing a declining birth rate and an aging population, it is said that public policies that are only for the elderly or only for child-rearing may lead to conflict between generations. In the United States, since the early 1990s, 'win-win' pilot projects aimed at intergenerational coexistence and mutual benefit in the community, have been developed, as a solution, mainly in the fields of health, welfare, and education.
In Japan, human relationship is weakening due to increasing the number of nuclear families and excessive privacy protection and anonymity and that lead to collapse social community network. It is said that it is not easy to reconnect generations that have become estranged, not just spontaneous, personal or individual exchanges, but rather that a well-thought-out 'program' is required.

Reprints Research

At the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, the Social Participation and Health Promotion Research Team (currently the Social Participation and Community Health Research Team at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology) has been engaged in training senior volunteers to support schools, focusing on reading picture books to children, since the fiscal year 2004. This initiative has received funding from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s scientific research grants.
Furthermore, as a pioneering study investigating how intergenerational exchanges between senior volunteers and children mutually influence each other and what effects they bring to both parties,

Research on Social Contributions of Seniors through Intergenerational Exchange
Research of productivity by intergenerational sympathy

The study was initiated, and its acronym, "REPRINTS," was adopted, pronounced as "Reprint."
"REPRINTS" literally means "reprint." It was named with the hope that, just as classic picture books that have been discontinued are reprinted, the senior generation can once again shine a light on their own lives, reclaim their roles, and contribute to the revival of the community.

Supporting Members

（Organizational Member）Eisai Co., Ltd.，Fukuinkan Shoten, Co., Ltd.
（Individual Member）six members

Reprints Network Links

70 Years After the War Project: Connecting Past and Present Through Picture Books

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Activities of REPRITS

Reading picture books aloud

Profile

REPRINTS Network is engaged in activities mainly reading picture books to children.

More Senior Participants, Much More Fun, Excitement, Joy through Reading to Children!

Chairman of the Board, NPO REPRINTS Network

Yasutaka Muto（REPRINTS Bunkyo, Tokyo）

I remember reading a picture book "Kaakaa Mou Mou" at a nursery school. It's a story about a singing contest between a crow and a cow, who compete to see who can sing the best. 　　　　　　　　　　　 A female volunteer member played the role of the crow and sang "Kaa Kaa Kaa," while I played the role of the cow and sang "Mou Mou Mou," and we read the story together. 　　　　　　　　　 At first, the children listened silently, but halfway through, they started singing along, and eventually the whole classroom was singing "Kaa Kaa” “Mou Mou”. When we finished, one boy said, "A new song was born!"... We were amazed at his wonderful sensitivity. When we read aloud, we sometimes come across such wonderful moments. We believe that reading picture books aloud activates the brains of seniors like us and leads to the richness of children's hearts. We hope that the circle of the REPRINTS Network will expand and that more seniors experience the fun, excitement, and joy of reading aloud.

Shower of Happiness from REPRINTS

Advisor, NPO REPRINTS Network

Yoshinori Fujiwara (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology)

It is no exaggeration to say that the prescription for overcoming the low birthrate and super-aging society is “for the senior generation to live as healthy as possible and to use their vitality to help the next generation grow and mature”. The intergenerational project "REPRINTS" is a model project that we have been promoting since 2004, where senior volunteers read picture books to children. A research revealed the effect of REPRINTS brings happiness to the senior generation, children and adults. However, model research has its limits. "REPRINTS", which started in four regions, can only bring four drops of happiness to the whole of Japan. For more people to be showered with the happiness of "REPRINTS", senior volunteers and researchers gathered, and established an NPO. We would appreciate your support and cooperation.

NPO Reprints Network
〒101-0065 202 Kitamura Bld., 2-7-11 Nishikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN