Department of Education and Child Development

Developing individuals who can understand the mind of the child, be there for the child, and nurture the child

The Department of Education and Child Development fuses the three domains of psychology, pedagogy, and disability science in order to find a path to solutions for the problems that children face. We nurture individuals who are deeply interested in understanding and supporting the mind of the child, who are fascinated by the prospect of communicating with many different kinds of people, and who, after graduation, will be able to support the child as teachers at kindergartens, elementary schools, and special-needs schools.

Curriculum overview

In their first two years, students build a foundation for all learning by taking Psychological Support Theory* core courses. Then, we cultivate their ability to support the mind of the child by having them master education and child development through the merging of studies in multiple fields: Psychology courses by which students understand—from mental mechanism and mental development perspectives—the psychological issues facing children, pedagogy courses (elementary education) where students learn about the reality of elementary education, and disability science courses where students learn to understand and support children with disabilities (developmental and intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, etc.). In addition, in the second year students can deepen their learning about the understanding and support of children via practical experience in a variety of settings, such as providing teaching support as an assistant in a public elementary school in the city of Yokohama and participating as student staff in off-campus child-centered community activities. In years three and four, students acquire the practical ability to work in actual educational settings as they develop specialized knowledge through student teacher training in subject instruction methods. We nurture not only knowledge and skills but also a rich humanity and a strong ability to explore and resolve issues.

*Psychological Support Theory was selected as a Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “high-quality university education promotion program (Education Good Practice)”(fiscal years 2008 to 2010).