Comprehensive Research OrganizationWaseda University

The Institute’s stated research objective is to “establish basic theory and build a new early childhood education system by examining new approaches to early childhood education in modern society, focusing on issues surrounding early childhood development, the development of early childhood education materials and teaching methods, and collaboration between kindergartens and elementary schools.”
Its predecessor, the Early Childhood Education Research Institute, dates back 10 years. The new Institute was established in 2021 due to a number of factors, including 1) the gap between practice and specialized knowledge, 2) issues with connectivity with primary education, and 3) collaboration with neuroscience. The results achieved to date are as follows:
1) was resolved by incorporating early childhood education practitioners and members involved in early childhood education administration in addition to experts in the institute’s operations, research reports, and discussions. Many of the results have been reflected in the practice of early childhood education and have influenced new approaches and operations.
Regarding point 2), amid the kindergarten and nursery school issue in the field of early childhood education, the establishment of Kodomo-en and its responsible government agency, the Children and Families Agency, led to debate on the nature and function of early childhood education. Under these circumstances, collaboration with primary education has been discussed anew. Furthermore, the Institute’s research groups include not only early childhood education practitioners but also primary education teachers and researchers involved in teacher training. Through research exchanges among these individuals, knowledge of connectivity has deepened and new initiatives have been developed in elementary schools.
Regarding point 3), with the participation of brain science researchers from other universities, a sub-research group was established to examine early childhood education from the perspective of findings in brain science and developmental science. While active verification and examination are underway, practitioners in this field have actively taken an interest in and participated, and a new research style is being developed. Some of the findings have been published in the form of an annual report (Bulletin of the Institute for Early Childhood Education Development). Additionally, focusing on the role of parents (and families) in early childhood education and the importance of
collaboration between parents and educators, we are conducting empirical research using heartbeat synchronization experiments in collaboration with the Tamagawa University Brain Science Institute, and plan to publish the results soon.
During this time, the external environment surrounding early childhood education has undergone drastic changes. In addition to the aforementioned establishment of the Agency for Children and Families and issues surrounding the nature and systems of early childhood education, issues of connectivity with research in related fields such as neuroscience and information science are being raised, as well as how to address issues arising from changes in social structure. In particular, in relation to social issues, the development of foreign-speaking teachers and childcare workers and the creation of curricula to care for the children of foreign engineers working in semiconductor
factories in Kumamoto and Hokkaido, as well as the children of foreign families working in factories and companies, has become an urgent task for local governments and competent authorities. There is a strong social demand to build on past achievements and tackle new challenges. Given the extremely limited number of research facilities engaged in this research, it is particularly significant that the Institute continues to serve as a hub for research activities. There has been strong demand from many stakeholders, including practitioners and researchers. We are therefore submitting a renewed request to extend the Institute’s operations.
Furthermore, the activities of the research group will remain the same as before: 1) regular research meetings, 2) holding public lectures, 3) publishing periodicals, and 4) collaborating with educational institutions.
As mentioned above, this Institute will take over the research topics, framework, and results of the Early Childhood Education Development Institute, and in order to develop these further, it will be established under the name of the Early Childhood Education Development Institute.