Targeted Qualities and Abilities to be Acquired

1. To understand the concepts and theories of childcare and early childhood education, acquire the specialized knowledge required in the field of childcare and early childhood education, and be able to apply this knowledge in the field. (Knowledge and skills)
2. To understand various research methods and techniques in childcare and early childhood education through practice. (Knowledge and skills)
3. To enhance the abilities to respond and make judgments, to use those abilities appropriately, and to solve problems through collaborative and practical learning with others. (Thinking, judgment, and expression) (Initiative, diversity, and collaboration)
4. To understand and respect diverse others, to be interested in social trends in Japan and abroad toward the formation of a society that coexists with others, and to be able to approach such trends from the perspective of understanding infants and toddlers. (Thinking, judgment, and expression) (Independence, diversity, and collaboration)

Degree Requirements

Degrees are awarded to students who have earned the prescribed credits required for graduation and acquired the above qualities and abilities.

Curriculum Organization

1. Expertise and humanity in childcare and early childhood education

   In order to cultivate a sense of ethics, as well as morals and humanity, for those involved in childcare and early childhood education, lectures for character building are systematically introduced from the first year to enhance students' competence as childcare professionals.
   In addition, students will acquire comprehensive academic skills based on interdisciplinary learning by relating the subjects of the first through fourth years of study.

2. Integration of theory and practice in childcare and early childhood education

   By cultivating comprehensive subject-integrated skills that connect theories learned in college classrooms to practice, the program aims to develop practical skills that link theory to practice while enhancing the quality and content of practical training.
   
   The course is designed to provide students with relevant subjects prior to the childcare training and kindergarten education training that begin in the second year and thereafter. Based on their previous studies, students deepen their understanding of actual childcare and acquire practical skills by creating teaching plans, conducting mock childcare, and other hands-on activities.

3. Enhancement and strengthening of infant understanding and skills

   Students will deepen their understanding of infants and toddlers and improve their basic knowledge and skills in expression (music, modeling, body, environmental composition, etc.) necessary for childcare and early childhood education.

4. Fostering a research perspective

   From the second semester of the third year, students tackle issues in seminar-style research activities in which they set their own themes based on the specialized knowledge they have acquired up to that point. “Special Research" in the second semester of the third year and "Graduation Research" in the fourth year allow students to explore and consider issues.

Learning Methods

1. First-year education

   In "Freshman Seminar," first-year students learn the basics of study to prepare them for careers in childcare, such as note-taking and resume writing, as well as presentation methods.

2. Fundamental education

   From the first year, students actively take common education courses to cultivate a sense of ethics, professional morals, and humanity needed for those involved in childcare and early childhood education.

3. Career education

   Students learn the culture required of childcare professionals and the foundation for carrying out their duties. All subjects incorporate active learning, and students learn independently and cooperatively through group work and discussion.

4. Distinctive education

   From the third year, specialized education incorporating the characteristics of the four courses of Luther Plus One is arranged as a late specialization type educational program, allowing students to choose the subjects they want to learn more deeply. In addition, through fieldwork in Japan and abroad, students will study with the aim of crossing back and forth between theory and practice.

5. Graduation research

   As the culmination of four years of study, students explore questions they have formulated for themselves using research methods such as literature research, surveys, and case studies. The results are compiled and presented in a thesis. In the Childcare and Early Childhood Education Major, students are not limited to the research thesis format due to the content of their studies, but other forms of presentation are also accepted.

Evaluation of the Academic Process/Outcomes

The academic process and outcomes in education based on the above learning methods will be evaluated as follows.

1. Grading of each subject is based on the evaluation of students' learning process and results in terms of "knowledge and understanding," "skills," "thinking, judgment, and expression," and "interest, motivation, and attitude," considering the achievement objectives of the subject. Strict evaluation is conducted so as not to concentrate on superior grades.
2. The relationship between courses and the qualities and abilities targeted for acquisition in the degree awarding policy will be clearly stated in the syllabi, and the degree of achievement in each of these qualities and abilities will be visualized based on the grades received in the courses taken.
3. To supplement course and study guidance through interviews with facility members, students are encouraged to learn independently by self-evaluating and checking their abilities based on the degree of achievement of the qualities and abilities specified in the degree awarding policy and other academic achievement records in the college's study portfolio.
4. Graduation research is evaluated based on class participation and research efforts. Evaluation of graduation thesis (assignment setting, collection of materials and data, analysis of information, thesis structure, consideration of the theme, logic, objectivity, citations, references, compliance with copyright laws, etc.) and graduation research presentation (delivery and content of presentation), will be based on a rubric that standardizes the level of achievement from each evaluation aspect.

Desired Image of Students

We accept students who understand the above policies on degree conferment, curriculum organization and implementation, and who have the following motivation, attitude, and qualities.

1. Those who aim to become childcare providers with the ability to support children and families raising children.
2. Those who have an interest in childcare and early childhood education, who study deeply and acquire specialized knowledge and skills.
3. Those who are interested in the world and culture surrounding children, childcare and early childhood education, and who wish to support their growth.

Competencies to be Acquired Prior to Enrollment

1. Knowledge and skills
   • The ability to acquire a well-balanced, broad range of basic academic skills and basic lifestyle habits in subjects and courses commonly studied up to senior high school.
2. Thinking, judgment, and expression
   • The attitude to have a broad interest in society, the ability to listen, speak, read, and write, to think independently, and to communicate to build good relationships with others. Moreover, the ability to read and understand texts and to express oneself logically.
   • Interest in cultural activities such as music.
3. Attitude to learn independently and collaboratively with diverse people

   The attitude to understand and accept diverse people and cooperate with them to engage in a variety of activities in one’s own way.

   • Active participation in local volunteer activities.