■ Hiroshima Prefecture, Higashihiroshima City, Akiota Town, Shudo University, etc.

From July 2021～

In response to the survey results that “young Japanese people lack hope and dreams for the future compared to other countries,” a project was implemented to help children recognize their strengths—non-cognitive abilities—and create an action plan to pursue their dreams. This was done through board games (play), which have been accelerating in use in educational institutions. The program aims to support children from identifying their strengths to planning and executing steps toward realizing their dreams.

【Challenges】

– According to a survey targeting young people (Cabinet Office), Japanese youth are less able to have bright hopes for their future compared to their counterparts in other countries.

(Other issues include: a low percentage of those who view themselves positively, high percentages of those feeling sad or depressed, and those who do not have bright hopes for their future.)

【Support Details】

Through board games, the event aimed to: 1) help children discover their ‘strengths’ that they have not yet noticed, 2) encourage them to envision a dream for the future based on their strengths, and 3) support the creation of a specific action plan toward realizing their dreams and taking the first step. These were the goals of the event.

After the game, feedback was provided to help children identify jobs they might be suited for, based on the combination of their ‘strengths’ discovered during the game. The aim was to help them take a step toward their dreams and create an actionable plan. In addition, feedback was also provided to parents, encouraging them to support their children’s dreams as a family.

【Outcomes/Results】

Elementary School Event: Held in Higashihiroshima City (15 participants, grades 2 to 6)

High School Event: Held at Kake High School in Akiota Town (held for two consecutive years as part of an inquiry-based class, with 67 participants in total)

University Event: Held as a summer special lecture at Shudo University (16 participants, university years 2 to 3)