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Amid today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Department of Child Care and Education at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST) centered on “Local Heart” and “Global Vision” as it showcased its dual commitment to local initiatives and international exchange through two major summer programs. From childhood camps in Tainan to Chinese language teaching internships across three Southeast Asian countries, the department’s faculty and students combined professional expertise with humanistic care, creating meaningful learning experiences for children while gaining valuable teaching experience.
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【Professor Zhi-Sheng Chen of the Department of Child Care and Education was pictured with the leadership and teachers of Daofang Happy Elementary School in Indonesia during a teacher professional development workshop.】
Hearts to the Local: Rediscovering Childhood Innocence—Leaving Phones behind for Real Joy Led by Jia-Yan Wu, Chair of the Student Society of the Department of Child and Education, 20 students organized a multi-day “Childhood Moments” camp this summer at Shuedong Elementary School in Annan District, Tainan City. The camp, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, STUST, and the AirTAC Youmei Charity Foundation, addressed modern children’s heavy dependence on consumer electronics. “We hope to encourage children to put down their phones and truly enjoy the joys of childhood,” said Wu. The camp featured a diverse curriculum including morning exercises, water activities, aesthetics classes, gender equality education, group games, and a “Childhood Memories Sweepstakes” to enhance interpersonal skills, creativity, and life skills. The children’s smiles and parents’ positive feedback showed the program’s success in rekindling childhood joy and creating lasting memories.
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【Student Society of the Department of Child Care and Education, STUST, held a Childhood Moments camp this summer, as shown in a group photo was taken with elementary school students.】
Looking Globally: Teaching Chinese across Three Countries and Cultivating World-Class Early Childhood Talent The department actively participated in the Ministry of Education’s 2025 New Southbound Learning Ocean Builds Dreams Program for Southeast Asian Chinese Language Teaching Internships. Led by Prof. Zh-Sheng Chen and Prof. Shin-Yi Wei, students completed over a month of Chinese language teaching at Daofang Happy Elementary School in Ketapang, Indonesia, Shiyao Kindergarten in Malaysia, and Fiaba Chinese Language Learning Center in Singapore. Each offered unique cultural and educational contexts, allowing students to engage in cross-cultural teaching and gain a deeper understanding of diverse teaching practices. Interns reported that the experience transcended language learning and that they were glad to see the dedication of Chinese language teachers worldwide was an inspiring journey of cultural exchange and educational growth.
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【The Childhood Memories camp of the Department of Child Care and Education also hosted creative sessions, such as using fluorescent paint and lighting effects to create luminous artworks with local students.】
Deepening Professional Development: Expanding the Impact of Early Childhood Education from Teaching Principles to Environmental Concern In addition to student internships, Prof. Zhi-Sheng Chen conducted teaching workshops at Daofang Happy Elementary School in Ketapang, Indonesia, to enhance local teachers’ mentoring skills. These sessions were enthusiastically received. Ketapang is located on the island of Borneo, which is known as the “Lungs of the World” for its tropical rainforests. It was highlighted as an ideal place to integrate environmental education. Prof. Chen encouraged the incorporation of environmental conservation and local culture into teaching practices, fostering both knowledge and respect for nature.
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【Students from the Southeast Asian Chinese Language Teaching Internship Program at STUST used interactive games to make Chinese learning engaging for local children.】
Conclusion: Cultivating Early Childhood Professionals with Love and Competence The Department of Child Care and Education at STUST is committed to nurturing early childhood educators with professional expertise, innovative thinking, and humanistic values. By blending theory with practice and providing both local and international opportunities, students not only gain practical skills but also develop a warm and caring approach to education. The department will continue creating a high-quality learning environment and professional pathways for aspiring educators, preparing them to make meaningful contributions in the field of early childhood education.
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