Study at TCU

Department of Child Studies

The Department of Child Studies provides students comprehensive academic coursework and fieldwork necessary to acquire a deep understanding of a child’s growth and development. In successive academic terms, students will explore methodologies to assist children in developing critical social skills and qualities, such as independency, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibilities. Classroom teaching methodologies will enable the successful student to stimulate interest among young children and their parents thus adding quality to the overall well-being of children in today’s ever evolving dynamic society.

An Innovative and Challenging Professional Study Program in Early Childhood Education and Care

Nowadays, Early Childhood Education and Care professionals in Japan play important social roles in assisting families with young children. In the context of diminishing social solidarity, young parents have been increasingly isolated in the child-rearing process. In order to provide appropriate services in response to social needs, Early Childhood Education and Care professionals need to improve their capabilities beyond basic certification requirements. The Department of Child Studies at TCU prepares prospective Kindergarten and preschool teachers to develop theory and practice and specialized knowledge and skills in order to nurture a healthier and richer environment for children at a time of great needs and great challenges.

Professional Career Development

The Department of Child Studies offers students an invigorating and challenging curriculum. A leading-edge curriculum consists of a wide range of interdisciplinary subjects including Child Culture, Communication, and Expression. These subjects are offered in addition to the core curriculum requirements for a kindergarten teacher’s license and a preschool teacher qualification. TCU offers one of the most innovative and unique curriculums in regards to understanding a child’s growth and development.

TCU offers a highly effective curriculum to meet the individual student’s need. The curriculum is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and confidence in a progressive manner over successive terms, as seminars build upon and expand what students have already learned. Focusing on specific topics in successive terms, students will gradually develop their capability as prospective professionals.

In addition to the above, the Department of Child Studies at TCU offers unique and original outside the classroom experiences. This would include child-rearing support at “PIPPI”, which is a community-based support center for families with young children. Students also will participate in the local Tokyo municipality neighborhood gardening initiative, as well as field excursions to natural settings. TCU also offers a study abroad program in cooperation with the University of Canterbury in New Zealand,University of Wollongong in Australia, and University of Guam in the USA. TCU Bachelor of Child Studies offers the students many career options. For example, successful completion of the program will enable the student to gain official Government of a kindergarten teacher’s license and a preschool teacher qualification in Japan.

The Bachelor of Child Studies offers students a wide variety of professional career opportunities in early childhood education and care, including public and private child care institutions, national and local governments, child publications, toy manufacturers, children clothing design and manufacturing and international and domestic academic institutions. In addition, early childhood career professionals are critical in the new global economies such as NGO’s, agencies of the United Nations, CARE and JICA.