Research on The Process of a Foreign Child's Adjustment to a Day-Care-Center :

From a Case of an International Student's Child

Abstract

This research analyzed the process of a five years old foreign child's adjustment to a Japanese day-care-center by observing him and interviewing his teacher and his mother about "participation to group activities", "social development", and "language." Using Super and Harkness's term: "the developmental niche," the process of adjustment was examined from the viewpoints of the physical and social settings, the customs of child care, and the psychology of the caretakers. It was discovered that his teacher and his mother had different expectations for him. In accordance with his adjustment, his parents had difficulties in communicating with him, and his mother worried about his readjustment. It is important to discuss the concept of adjustment not only from the teacher's view point but also from their parents', and to seek alternative ways to develop more common understanding between parent and teacher.