Even if you are interested in visiting an art museum with children, don't you worry about whether "they can appreciate it quietly?" or "will they disturb other guests?" Parents with children who have disabilities or those who are developing slowly tend to go out less.
However, regardless of disabilities or age, the experience of appreciating art and being moved is irreplaceable.
Therefore, to support parents and children with disabilities or those who are developing slowly, Kurashiki City Comprehensive Development Consultation Center "Yumepalu" (hereinafter referred to as "Yumepalu") held a special event "Art with Parents! Yumepalu Day" for families using its services on November 4, 2025 (Tuesday), allowing them to privately view the special exhibition at the Kurashiki City Art Museum.
Currently, the Kurashiki City Art Museum is hosting a special exhibition titled "Yabe Mitsunori and Yabe Taro - The Hometown of 'My Father' in Kurashiki."
We will introduce the event "Art with Parents! Yumepalu Day," which also included a storytelling session with picture books.
What is Kurashiki City Comprehensive Development Consultation Center "Yumepalu"?
"Yumepalu" is a comprehensive development consultation center located on the first floor of the Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza in Sasao, Kurashiki City.
The services available at Yumepalu are as follows:
- Consultation regarding children's physical and mental development
- Information provision related to children's development
- Building collaboration among various organizations involved with children
It plays a role in providing consultations for children with concerns about their physical and mental development and connecting them with necessary welfare services and families.
What is "Yabe Mitsunori and Yabe Taro - The Hometown of 'My Father' in Kurashiki"?
"Yabe Mitsunori and Yabe Taro - The Hometown of 'My Father' in Kurashiki" is an exhibition being held at the Kurashiki City Art Museum from October 17, 2025 (Friday) to December 21, 2025 (Sunday).
During the exhibition period, various related events are planned, including a talk show and workshops by Yabe Mitsunori and Yabe Taro, as well as storytelling events with picture books.
Overview of "Art with Parents! Yumepalu Day"
For the Kurashiki City Art Museum, art appreciation aimed at children with disabilities and those with concerns about their physical and mental development and their parents is the first attempt. Therefore, this time, the event was held on November 4 (Tuesday), a day when the museum was closed to other guests.
Since it was held on a weekday morning, there were only two participating families.
In a friendly atmosphere, the event began.
Hand games, picture books, and storytelling based on children's reactions
The currently ongoing exhibition "Yabe Mitsunori and Yabe Taro - The Hometown of 'My Father' in Kurashiki" starts with original drawings of Yabe Mitsunori's picture book works. Yabe's storytelling videos are also popular, and many visitors stop to gaze at them intently.
Before entering the exhibition room, a storytelling session was conducted by Yasumasa Asano, an associate professor in the Early Childhood Education Department at Kurashiki City Junior College.
The following five works were featured in the storytelling session:
- Picture book "Bakebake Happu"
Tomo H. Fujimoto/Happy Owl Publishing - Picture book "If You're Happy, Clap Your Hands" (Pull-tab Picture Book)
David A. Carter/Dainippon Painting - Picture book "Are Are Na-ni?"
Mitsunori Yabe/Doshinsha - Picture book "The Tortoise and the Hare"
Taro Yabe & Mitsunori Yabe/Doshinsha - Picture book "Ushikata and Yamamba"
Joji Tsubota & Mitsunori Yabe/Doshinsha
Although there were many works, there were also many hand games and interactions with the children, and the children were seen eagerly asking Asano to "read more!" Participants genuinely enjoyed the storytelling.
Enjoyable viewing time with curators and staff for both parents and children
Since it was a small gathering, the curators were able to provide explanations that matched the children's viewing pace.
Yabe Mitsunori's works are all records of parenting that evoke the interactions between parents and children. Furthermore, Yabe's family was a pioneer of "Ikumen," where the father takes care of the children while the mother works, which was still rare at that time.
On this day, there happened to be a family where the father brought his two daughters to view the exhibition, and while the father was deeply absorbed in the works, the children were being watched over by the museum and Yumepalu staff.
Particularly popular among the children was the corner with toys made from recycled materials. After playing with all the toys, they repeatedly played with their favorite ones.
Yabe Mitsunori also seems to look forward to the time spent making and playing with toys from recycled materials with the children, and the sight of the children joyfully playing while genuinely receiving Yabe's thoughts felt like another piece of art.
Expectations for future "Art with Parents! Yumepalu Day" events
Feedback from participating parents included the following:
"It was very good that we could appreciate art at the children's pace. I was happy to see the children enjoying themselves so much. If there are more opportunities like this in the future, I would definitely like to bring my children along."
Additionally, a staff member from the Kurashiki City Art Museum commented:
"This was our first attempt to welcome families with developmental concerns, and I was glad that both the children and parents enjoyed it. Yabe himself is an artist who values children having fun with art, so this initiative aligned well with the exhibition's purpose. We want to continue collaborating with Yumepalu to provide art appreciation opportunities for families with various circumstances."
The initiative "Art with Parents! Yumepalu Day," filled with smiles from both participants and organizers, has just begun.
We hope that more opportunities for children with disabilities and those with developmental concerns, as well as their parents, to enjoy art will increase in the future.
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Data for Art with Parents and Children! Yumeparu Day
| Name | Art with Parents and Children! Yumeparu Day |
|---|---|
| Date | November 4, 2025 (Tue) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Location | 2-6-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free of charge |
| Website | Kurashiki City Comprehensive Development Consultation Center Yumeparu |
