Department of Child Studies
Our Mission
This course of study helps students develop essential fundamental and key knowledge as well as the expertise necessary for working with infants to children 6 years of age. The department offers attentive-to-individual-student education and considers human relationships as the basis of education. Thus, within the department, faculty-to-student relationships are seen as important and are emphasized. During their period of study, students acquire sophisticated knowledge, and develop a rich sense of humanity. This is meant to allow them to assume an active part in Japan’s childcare systems while providing support for child rearing and contributing to children’s welfare and peace in society.
Three Features of the Department of Child Studies
1.Students learn sophisticated specialized knowledge and develop skills based on the goals and direction of the Department of Child Studies.
The curriculum of the department consists of foundation classes such as foreign language, basic skills, modern education, and other advanced classes. The advanced classes include courses common to the entire faculty and specialized departmental courses. Students learn advanced specialized knowledge and develop skills based on the goals and direction of the Department of Child Studies through these specialized departmental courses.
2.We offer many courses that can fully meet students’ intellectual curiosity.
To fully meet students’ intellectual curiosity, the courses are divided into seven course groups: The Essence and Goals of Childcare, Children’s Minds and Bodies, The Culture of Children, Childcare Content and Methods, Regional Society and Welfare, Practical Seminar for the Teaching Profession, and Classes Related to Practical Training. Course selections are organized so that students can learn on their own initiative based on their individual interests and future career paths.
3.We nurture graduates who can act as key personnel in childcare and welfare work environments.
To nurture graduates who can be active as key personnel in childcare and welfare work environments, it is important to have ties to such work environments. A typical example of courses with these ties in mind is Classes Related to Practical Training—a course where practical training in kindergartens, nursery schools, and social welfare facilities is systematically arranged. Even in classes other than practical training, students have opportunities to visit various facilities outside of the university, play with children, and interact with staff.
Attainable License & Qualifications
- Kindergarten Teacher’s License – Grade 1
- Child Care Worker Qualification
- Qualification to take the national examination of Certified Social Worker
Possible Career Paths after Graduation
- Kindergartens, nursery schools, certified centers for early childhood education and care
- Regional childcare support centers, NPOs
- Child welfare facilities and other social welfare facilities
- Government administrative bodies (general, educational, welfare)
- Private sector companies
List of Courses (2022)
| First Semester | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| Principles of Education | Studies in Childcare Providers |
| Studies in Social Welfare | Pedagogy of Early Childhood Education |
| Child and Family Welfare | Social Work Exercises I |
| Children and Human Relations | Theory of Child Care Support |
| Basics in Crafts | Infant Developmental Psychology |
| Children and the Environment | Children and Health |
| Literature for Children | Children and Language |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Overview) | Singing |
| Crafts for Children | |
| Music for Children | |
| Children’s Culture | |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Interpersonal Relationships I) | |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Environment I) | |
| Welfare of People with Disabilities | |
| Social Security I | |
| Third Semester | Fourth Semester |
| Principles of Early Childcare | Clinical Psychology |
| Foundations of Social Work I | Piano II |
| Foundations of Social Work Ⅱ | Culture of Children’s Play |
| Diet and Nutrition for Children | Music Education around the World |
| Piano I | Picture Books and Toys in the World |
| Motor Skills | Studies in Early Childhood Education (Health II) |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Health I) | Studies in Early Childhood Education (Interpersonal Relationships II) |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Language and Literacy I) | Studies in Early Childhood Education (Environment II) |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Musical Expression I) | Studies in Early Childhood Education (Expression through Modeling IIA) |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Expression through Modeling I) | Social Security Ⅱ |
| Infant CareⅠ | Guidance for Early Childhood Education Practicum |
| Child Care for Children with Special Needs | Early Childhood Education Practicum I |
| Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | |
| Childcare Methodology and Practices | |
| Theory of Social Work I | |
| Methods of Social Work Ⅰ | |
| Guidance for Early Childhood Education Practicum | |
| Fifth Semester | Sixth Semester |
| Introduction to Teaching | Educational Systems |
| Non-familial ChildcareⅠ | Theory of Child and Family Support |
| Psychology of Child and Family Support | Children’s Health and Safety |
| Understanding and Helping Children | Piano IV |
| Children’s Health | Infant CareⅡ |
| Piano III | Non-familial ChildcareⅡ |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Language and Literacy II) | Theory and Methods of Educational Consultation |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Musical Expression II) | Public Assistance |
| Studies in Early Childhood Education (Expression through Modeling IIB) | Community Work |
| Social Welfare Needs and Policies | Health Care Services |
| Community Welfare | Adult Guardianship and Advocacy |
| Welfare of the Elderly | Social Work Exercises II |
| Theory of Social Work Ⅱ | Guidance for Institutional Childcare Practicum I |
| Methods of Social Work Ⅱ | Institutional Childcare Practicum I |
| Practical Exercises in Childcare and Education Ⅰ | |
| Guidance for Infant Childcare Practicum Ⅰ | |
| Guidance for Early Childhood Education Practicum | |
| Early Childhood Education Practicum II | |
| Practicum in Infant Childcare I | |
| Seventh Semester | Eighth Semester |
| Childcare Support Exercises | Social Work Exercises Ⅲ |
| Counseling in Childhood Development | Social Work Exercises Ⅳ |
| Introduction to Medicine | Social Work Exercises Ⅴ |
| Understanding and Guiding Children with Special Needs | Practical Exercises in Childcare and Education Ⅱ |
| Management and Organization of Welfare Services | Social Work Practicum |
| Parole Systems | Guidance for Social Work Practicum |
| Guidance for Infant Childcare Practicum Ⅱ | Graduation Research |
| Practicum in Infant Childcare II | |
| Guidance for Institutional Childcare Practicum Ⅱ | |
| Institutional Childcare Practicum II | |
| Social Work Practicum | |
| Guidance for Social Work Practicum | |
| Graduation Research |
