| Budget Amount *help |
¥3,010,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
Fiscal Year 2007: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥2,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000)
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| Research Abstract |
1. The author made picture books to promote a wider understanding of children with disabilities. These were made with the assistance of students in Early Child Education courses, nursery school and kindergarten teachers, and parents bringing up children with disabilities. The following picture books were created: To My Precious You, focusing on a mother's feelings for a child with Down's syndrome; A Present from God, focusing on Down's syndrome; Jun Juna revised edition of Jun Jun, which focuses on children with autism and how to support them; Takkun, focusing on children with autism and their friendships with other children; Friends also focusing on autism; and Temperature of Voice, focusing on helping children with disabilities through touch.
2. The author measured how effective these books could be in promoting inclusive education. The author read the picture books aloud to children (4-6 years old) in nine nurseries. The children were asked to draw a picture to represent their impressions about the books, after which the author interviewed them to assess how they understood the story. Nursery staff also participated in interviews and filled out questionnaires. The results indicated that the picture books encouraged children to take an interest in other children who differed from themselves. Based on the positive responses from the children and nursery staff, the author developed other ways to present the material
3. The author created an educational program to promote a wider understanding of disabilities and of children with disabilities in Early Child Education courses. Children know differences and understand disabilities step by step. Understanding disabilities initially requires an understanding of some of the differences between the individual and the others, as well as an appropriate acceptance of disabilities. Understanding these differences should promote deeper human understanding.
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