Ritsumeikan University, Japan, in Collaboration with the National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University, Organizes the Parenting Empowerment Camp

Ritsumeikan University, Japan, in Collaboration with the National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University, Organizes the Parenting Empowerment Camp

Ritsumeikan University, Japan, in collaboration with the National Institute for Child and Family Development (NICFD), Mahidol University, Thailand, organized the Parenting Empowerment Camp from 26–27 December 2025 at The Royal Gems Golf Resort, Nakhon Pathom Province.

The camp welcomed a total of four families and aimed to promote early childhood development alongside strengthening parents’ caregiving competencies through shared learning experiences between parents and children. The program was designed to foster warm and supportive parent–child relationships that contribute to children’s holistic development.

The activities were conducted with the participation of Associate Professor Dr. Wimontip Musikapan, a faculty member of the National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University, who also delivered a special lecture. She was joined by Mr. Thanawat Thammachote and NICFD staff members, who collectively provided coordination, facilitation, and support throughout the camp.

On the first day, the program began with icebreaker activities and self-introductions by mothers and their family members, followed by the Dynamic Family Drawing activity, which aimed to reflect and explore family relationships. This was followed by psychoeducation on parenting practices based on early childhood developmental characteristics, as well as parent–child behavior observation through collaborative block play. These activities enabled experts from Ritsumeikan University to gain an in-depth understanding of family interactions.

The second day focused on shared learning experiences between parents and children through picture book reading activities using culturally and developmentally appropriate materials, led by Associate Professor Dr. Wimontip Musikapan. This was followed by small-group sessions on the theme “Child Development and Family Systems,” providing opportunities for parents to exchange experiences and engage in close, meaningful discussions. The program concluded with interviews and surveys with both mothers and fathers to evaluate overall outcomes and the effectiveness of the camp activities.

Throughout the two-day program, the atmosphere was warm, friendly, and highly conducive to active participation. All participating families demonstrated strong engagement and cooperation, reflecting the importance of creating learning spaces that effectively strengthen parent–child relationships in alignment with children’s developmental needs.

The Institute hopes that this camp will enhance families’ understanding of their vital role in child development and enable participants to apply the knowledge and experiences gained to their daily lives in a sustainable manner.