Department of Educational Well-being for Children | Fuji Women's University_沙巴体育平台

Department OverviewTraining professionals to support collaboration between preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools.

The university began training childcare professionals in 1954, making it the oldest such program in Hokkaido. Building on the achievements of the Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, the university established the Department of Child Education in 2020, expanding its focus to include the training of elementary school teachers. From the 2025 academic year onwards, the 沙巴体育平台_沙巴体育app-官网 name of the department is “Department of Educational Well-being for Children.” Globally, there is increasing recognition that early childhood development significantly impacts later development. As a result, there is a growing emphasis on fostering rich learning experiences through daily life and play from infancy. In this department, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the continuity of child development and learning from infancy to childhood. Students also acquire the skills necessary to support children's education and their daily lives. These skills help prepare students to take on roles that facilitate collaboration between preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools.

Today, childcare professionals and teachers working in nurseries, kindergartens, and elementary schools are expected to possess practical skills to support children with diverse needs. Our department was an early adopter of education in special needs childcare, introducing a Special Needs Education Teacher Training Program in 2000. Drawing on this experience, students also learn how to support school-age children from various backgrounds.

The department also offers courses on child welfare and parenting support programs, thus providing students with opportunities to learn about how to support children's lives outside of home and school, as well as how to collaborate with various institutions and local communities. This emphasis on broader social engagement is a key feature of the Department of Educational Well-being for Children. The study of children extends beyond childcare and education to include family dynamics, community involvement, legal matters, and social issues. As a result, the knowledge gained in this program can be applied not only in childcare and education fields but also in a wide range of professional fields, including general business sectors.

This department does not follow a rigid course-based system for obtaining specific licenses or certifications. Instead, it offers an open curriculum, allowing students to take specialized courses beyond their chosen licenses or qualifications. By learning alongside peers pursuing different certifications, students build valuable connections, thereby fostering a network of trained professionals who can support each other even after graduation.

Specialization

Child Education SpecializationChildren’s Life Support Specialization: Each specialization provides a structured learning framework to help students shape their future careers. However, students are not limited to courses within a single specialization—they can take subjects from both areas. These specializations serve as a general guide to help students navigate their academic and professional paths. The program aims to develop specialists who can support children's continuous learning and daily lives from infancy through childhood. By combining theory and practice effectively, students deepen their understanding and gradually clarify their career aspirations for life after graduation.

Admission Policy

Goals of the Department

Children are expected to grow while embracing their individuality, expressing their unique qualities, and ultimately contributing to society. The period from infancy to childhood is especially crucial, as it lays the foundation for human development. Experiences and environments during this stage have a significant impact on a child's overall character formation. Therefore, supporting children's growth during this critical period is of utmost importance.

Moreover, human relationships are essential for a child's development. Supporting those who are involved in raising and caring for children is both necessary and indispensable. Therefore, the Department of Educational Well-being for Children provides a comprehensive education on the continuity of child development from infancy to childhood, the various circumstances surrounding children, and effective collaboration with related institutions. The program cultivates professionals who can deeply engage with children, as well as individuals capable of supporting those involved in children's lives from diverse perspectives.

Strengths and features of the department

Strengths of Preschool-Elementary Collaboration: This department is unique in Hokkaido for offering a wide range of teaching licenses and certifications, including the Elementary School Teacher License, Kindergarten Teacher License, Special Needs Education Teacher License, and Childcare Worker Certification. One of the department’s key strengths is fostering a broad perspective on: the continuity of child development from infancy to childhood; children’s surrounding environments, and; collaboration with various institutions.
Practical Skills for Real-World Application: Many faculty members have extensive experience as school teachers, childcare professionals, and facility staff, which enables them to provide education that aligns with real-world needs. With well-equipped facilities and a supportive learning environment, students receive thorough instruction in subjects such as piano, artistic expression, and physical activities, allowing them to develop the practical skills essential for their future roles.
Connecting with the Community: Leveraging the geographical proximity to Ishikari City, the program encourages interaction with local children and their families. This includes parenting support activities like "Otete Tsunaide", in which students apply the knowledge learned at the university. Utilizing community connections also means promoting volunteer opportunities in collaboration with educational institutions in both Sapporo and Ishikari City, special needs schools, and nearby kindergartens, nurseries, and certified children’s centers. There are plenty of opportunities to engage with children outside of regular classes.

Learning Points

Comprehensive learning about children's education and life support from infancy to childhood.

In the first year, students are required to take foundational courses in child development, education, welfare, and special needs, even if these subjects are not directly related to certification requirements. This curriculum is designed not only to help students determine which qualifications they wish to pursue but also to provide a comprehensive understanding of the specialized knowledge needed for supporting children's learning and daily lives. It encourages students to adopt a multifaceted perspective on children and their environments, laying a foundation for a broad understanding of the specialized subjects required for obtaining future qualifications.
Furthermore, as students progress through the program, the curriculum remains open, allowing them to take specialized courses outside of those required for their chosen license or certification. This flexibility to experience a diverse range of learning opportunities is one of the strengths of the university. By studying specialized subjects that focus on life support and education from infancy to childhood, students can deepen their understanding of the essential learning that takes place in preschool and elementary school education.

Learning about children's human rights and care, and supporting the development of all children through special needs education.

By focusing on children's human rights, students also learn about various social issues affecting children, such as poverty and abuse. From the perspectives of care, education, and childcare, the program aims to cultivate professionals who can contribute to the well-being of children. Additionally, fostering professionals who can support the development of all children has been one of the key educational principles of this department. The program deepens students' understanding of children who require special support, enhancing their qualifications as teachers and childcare providers, as well as improving their practical skills as special education teachers.

Diverse Career Paths After Graduation

The education provided in the Department of Educational Well-being for Children over four years prepares students to work in a variety of settings that support children. These settings include facilities dedicated to children, such as nurseries, kindergartens, children’s centers, elementary schools, and special needs schools, as well as places that support children's learning and life outside of home and school, such as children's clubs and parenting support centers. These educational experiences also open career opportunities in therapeutic facilities for children with disabilities and social welfare institutions for children living away from their families due to various circumstances. Furthermore, the knowledge gained about children extends beyond childcare and education to include family dynamics, community issues, legal matters, and social problems, making it applicable not only in the childcare and education sectors, but also in general businesses and other fields.