Trauma-informed care is a clinical psychology approach that considers the effects of trauma in understanding behavior. This study aimed to clarify the practical knowledge of supporters in regional childcare support services regarding parents and children where problem behavior or child maltreatment is suspected, and to explore the necessity of trauma-informed care for further improving the expertise of supporters in regional childcare support services. Data from interviews conducted with regional childcare supporters indicated that the needs of mothers and children were sensitively and precisely met through observations of parents and children, or cooperation with outside specialized agencies from the standpoint of supporters' practical knowledge. In terms of trauma-informed care, understanding was insufficient regarding the possibility of trauma being an underlying factor affecting parent and child behavior, and the risk of secondary trauma amongst supporters themselves. In regional childcare support services, trauma-informed care is essential for offering appropriate support for parents and children and maintaining the mental health of supporters.

On four occasions between 2015 and 2022, through collaborations with the Tokushima Modern Art Museum, universally designed music and art workshops were held, whose participants included the visually and hearing impaired. Taking an overview of these activities, the significance of universally designed music and art workshops for music learning was considered to be: (1) Music can be perceived with the entire body, (2) Music appreciation can be deepened by expressing perceived music via various media, and (3) Universal activities in which various people participate make it possible to share a greater diversity of appreciation. In order to make the practice of holding such workshops feasible at other institutions, we extracted and organized five points for attention: for preliminary preparation, (1) Information security and venue setting; during the activity, (2) Creating an accepting and sympathetic place, (3) Setting up auxiliary activities to be introduced, and (4) Reasonable accommodations for the activities; and after the activity, (5) Relationships that enable active participation by people with disabilities.

During the first semester of 2020, compulsory “English I” classes for first-year university students were unexpectedly conducted by distance learning in X University. The purpose of this study was to verify whether learning using the digital content TED Talks employed at that time would improve the English proficiency of these students. The class was conducted through an exchange of text information only. Participants were a total of 74 male and female freshmen who enrolled in the above course. One episode from TED Talks was used for each lesson, and 10 lessons were conducted for a total of 10 episodes. Pre- and post-tests in English (20 questions, 20 points) unrelated to the lessons were conducted and the scores were compared. In addition, a 15-item post-questionnaire (five-point Likert scale) on emotional aspects was administered to investigate any relationship with the scores. Overall, results showed no improvement in English proficiency; however, those students with higher-than-average scores in the “confirmation test” conducted in each lesson improved their English proficiency. The results of the post-questionnaire suggested what kind of effect these classes had on English learning.

A survey of amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the Uekusa Gakuen University campus was conducted. Four species of amphibian were identified, including three designated as protected species on the Chiba Prefecture Red List. Currently, 10 species of amphibians are said to inhabit Chiba City, although some have isolated habitats in specific places, and others are considered to be extinct, so excluding the Indian Rice Frog, all the species that could potentially inhabit this area were included. Nine species of reptiles were identified, all of which are listed as protected species on the Red List. Thirteen species of reptiles were identified in Chiba City, and of these, none of the three turtle species could be identified on campus. On the other hand, all three species of lizards and six of the seven species of snakes were identified. When amphibians and reptiles are used as environmental indicators, the species confirmed within Uekusa Gakuen University cover almost all the species that can be seen in this area, suggesting that it is a good freshwater environment.

　[Purpose] We aimed to investigate the prevalence of lower back pain among childcare workers and examine the relationship between childcare activities and exercise habits. [Method] An online survey was conducted, and included questions on age, working hours, break times, lower back pain status, work environment during childcare activities, and exercise habits. [Results] Of the 192 survey participants, 157 (81.8%) had lower back pain. Chi-square analysis revealed that the number of individuals who stated that the workbench height at their workplace was “not appropriate” and that there was “often not enough space” was significantly higher among those with lower back pain than in those without back pain. Regarding exercise habits, the number of days on which stretching was carried out was significantly higher in those with lower back pain than in those without. However, the intergroup difference in the duration of strength training was not considered significant. [Conclusion] The prevalence of lower back pain was associated with work environment and exercise habits.

　[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal injuries in childcare workers and the need for prevention of these injuries. [Method] An online survey was conducted. [Results] Overall, 192 childcare workers were included in this study, of whom 157 (81.8%) had lower back pain. There were 130 people (67.7%) with symptoms in other parts of the body. In particular, 99 individuals (51.6%) had shoulder-related symptoms, which was the most common. [Conclusion] A high proportion of childcare workers had lower back pain, and they were more concerned with preventing lower back pain than other symptoms.

　[Purpose] In this study, healthy university and elementary school students underwent hands-on wheelchair learning. The purpose was to examine and improve the learning content by comparing the observed behaviors and recorded impressions by age group. [Method] Five university students and three elementary school students participated in the study. They practiced navigating hallways, asphalt, slopes, and steps in a wheelchair. After practicing three types of wheelchair operation—rider-propelled, giving assistance to another rider, and receiving assistance as a rider—the participants were asked to describe their impressions. Their behavior was observed during the experience and recorded by the author. [Results] In the rider-propelled and receiving assistance conditions, the university students reported a fear of speed on slopes and a fear of steps due to the inclination of the seat. The elementary school students, in contrast, experienced no fear and in fact enjoyed the thrill. [Discussion] In hands-on instruction, it is desirable to foster awareness among elementary school students regarding the places where wheelchair users are likely to feel fear so that they can contemplate strategies that can be employed to assist users in order to make them feel safe.