This study aimed to examine the outcomes and feasibility of a hybrid group-based intervention combining physical activity and an individual goal-oriented approach for children with developmental disabilities. We employed a single-arm pre-test/post-test repeated-measures design. Outcome measures were based on participants' achievement of individual…

The "first-grade problem" of the lack of concentration, listening, and following of instruction has been widely identified among Japanese kindergarten students. To promote their executive functioning and self-regulation to prevent this issue, we developed the Social Thinking and Academic Readiness Training (START) program. The…

This book is the first volume devoted to mindset theory and practice in language education, offering interdisciplinary investigations into the motivation, competencies, emotions and wellbeing of language learners and teachers. Presenting studies from a vast array of language learning environments, the chapters explore topics such as students'…

Morton's "language knowledge for content teaching" (LKCT) is a powerful tool for understanding interactions in content and language integrated learning (CLIL) classrooms, as well as CLIL teachers' knowledge base and teacher language awareness (TLA). However, often lacking in the body of research on TLA and LKCT is an explicit stance on…

This quasi-experimental, mixed methods study explored student perceptions of class climate before and after implementation of a two-week social and emotional learning (SEL) intervention in elementary classrooms in Japan. The sample consisted of 131 second and third grade students. A one-time SEL lesson focusing on offering kind words to peers was…

Aural vocabulary knowledge (AVK) of high-frequency words is critical for second language listening comprehension. However, learners of English as a foreign language (EFL), despite considerable periods of language study, often do not have the AVK needed for basic communicative competence. A mixed methods approach is applied to determine whether…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience difficulties with social play. They have some limitations in learning play skills and playing with peers. This study examines the effects of intervention, in an inclusive classroom, based on ecological assessment and conditions of social play selection on the engagement in social play of a…

Reducing gender disparities in Japan is an urgent issue that requires the attention of multilevel stakeholders, including higher education institutions. Under Sustainable Development Goal 4, target 4.7 calls for educational institutions, including universities, to explore innovative approaches to tackle issues such as gender inequality. The…

Hikikomori has been recognized as a significant social issue in Japan. It is a Japanese term that refers to young people (aged 18-39 years) who have been in an asocial state of social withdrawal and social isolation for over six months. The Cabinet Office of Japan suggests that the number of hikikomori youth has reached approximately 700,000 and…

This book contains a compilation of papers presented at the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2019, organized by the World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.). Modern psychology offers a large range of scientific fields where it can be applied. The goal of understanding individuals and…

Introduction: This study aimed to develop a new tablet application named the Aid for Decision-making in Occupation Choice for School (ADOC-S). It aims to assist with conducting collaborative occupation-based goal-setting by sharing decision-making with a team member (child, parent, teacher, and occupational therapist) using a consultation model of…

This article reports on a 16-week study that examined the effect of mobile-based authentic audiovisual materials (AAM) on the vocabulary acquisition of Japanese university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design study was employed to compare the differences in vocabulary learning between a control…

The current 2-part study investigated the relative contributions of English language training (ELT) and computerized Cogmed working memory training (WMT) to improvements in English-as-a-foreign language (EFL) proficiency and working memory capacity. In Study 1, Japanese undergraduate EFL learners were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 experimental…

This article introduces three important challenges and possible solutions when using spoken dialogue to measure the use of specific multiword expressions. The first challenge is deciding whether to count precise and accurate use of target expressions only or whether to extend the count to include variation. The second challenge requires addressing…

The present study investigated the effectiveness of video hero modeling (VHM) for building four bathroom-related behaviors of an elementary-aged student with autism spectrum disorder. In the VHM intervention, the participant watched a video immediately before going to the bathroom he typically used. In the video, an animated face of a cartoon hero…