Profile

Our Purpose:

The Japanese Society of Child Science aims to establish "Child Science," which is an integrative and interdisciplinary study of children that transcends and bridges barriers between the humanities and sciences. The Society tries to combine methodological rigor and an empirical approach, which are given the highest importance in science, with the aspects of practical science that are applicable in the field of child-rearing and education.

To realize this goal, the wisdom and expertise of people in the field of education, social welfare organizations, environment designers, product designers and those in other relevant fields are as essential as the theoretical research and experimental studies of researchers.

The Society is comprised of three study groups. As the core group of the society, the Theory Group aims to establish a firm foundation for Child Science while seeking ways to reflect the findings of research in various fields. The Solutions Group has a practical orientation that works on solving child-related problems. The Child Caring Design Group designs environments and objects for children from the viewpoint of the child.

Researchers who are concerned about children tend to be divided by differences in specialty, the age group they research and so forth. It is often the case that in their way of thinking, academic researchers often lose touch with the perspectives of child care workers and teachers, and the educational business industry is at odds with teachers and schools over the best interests of children.

However, to tackle current children's problems, all who are concerned about children need to bring together their wisdom while respecting each other's differences. Dialogue and cooperation can provide a common platform for different backgrounds and disciplines. The Society hopes to be an academic society, distinguished by a new stance that, both theoretically and practically, provides the common platform for diverse backgrounds and disciplines over a wide range of fields.

Activities:

At the Annual Meeting, the Society's three research groups present their latest research findings. A symposium on a timely theme is also held with presentations of case studies.

In November 2003, the inaugural meeting of the Society was held at Shirayuri College. Professor Osamu Sakura, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Tokyo, gave the keynote speech entitled "Child Science and Evolutionary Biology," and the symposium addressed the topic "Potential and Challenges of a Science that Integrates Humanities."

In September 2004, the Society held its first annual meeting at the International Conference Hall of Waseda University in Tokyo with Professor Youichi Sakakihara, a child neurologist at Ochanomizu University, presiding. Researchers in various fields, including a computer game creator and TV animation producer as panelists, exchanged views on the controversial issue of the media and its effects on children.

In February 2005, the Society held the first study group meeting of the Child Science Research Groups. In September 2005, Professor Kouji Ushijima, a specialist in developmental medicine at the University of Tokyo presided at the second annual meeting held at the University of Tokyo. The development of children facing cross-cultural barriers and the problems of non-Japanese residents in Japan were discussed.

Research results, the contents of special lectures and discussion sessions at the Japanese Society of Child Science conference are published in an academic journal named Child Science once a year. Contents are available only in Japanese.

Representative:

Noboru Kobayashi, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, President Emeritus of National Children's Hospital, Pediatrics

Steering Committee:

This committee is comprised of researchers in various fields such as pediatric neurology, cognitive science, behavior genetics, developmental psychology, education, music therapy, robotics, media education and so forth.

Eligibility for Membership:

Membership is open to anyone who supports to the objectives of the Society. In addition to researchers in universities, members include people in various fields who study or work for children such as pediatrics, psychiatrists, counselors, school teachers, nursery teachers, nurses, child welfare caseworkers, architects, comic artists, editors, parents, students, etc. If you are interest in becoming a member, Please contacts us.

Annual Membership Fee:

Full Membership: 5,000yen.