Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Child Studies students designed and implemented play and counseling programs for children in the local community based on the professional knowledge they learned in their coursework, creating a meaningful model of education and social contribution.

JBNU Department of Child Studies counseling club ‘Reyu (Listen to Your story)’ (advising professor Kim Ri-jin) announced on the 27th that it recently held the "Play Support Program for Children of International Students" for children of married international students affiliated with the university and children from the local community.

The program was led in planning and operation throughout by club members after being selected for the 2025 Volunteer Support Center "Youth Engagement and Volunteer Club Support Project."

The students applied the theories and skills learned in their major courses "Child Counseling" and "Play Guidance" to design the program. At the first activity held last weekend, which used the concept "K-Pop Demon Hunters," children participated in relay games and other activities that promoted interaction among participants and emotional stability. Beyond merely offering experiences, the event served as a practicum where the effects of play on relationship-building and the establishment of psychological safety could be directly observed.

Park Seon-min, president of the Reyu club and a student in the Department of Child Studies, Class of 2024, said, "The theories I learned in class came to life through interaction with the children. I would like to continue activities that return our professional knowledge to the local community."

JBNU international student Jang Cho-cho (doctoral student, Department of Child and Family Studies), whose child participated in the program, said, "I am grateful that this provided an opportunity for my child to happily make friends in a new environment."

Professor Kim Ri-jin, who advised the students, said, "The program has significant educational value because the students planned and operated it themselves. Through this field experience, they are laying the foundation to develop into future child counseling professionals." She added, "We will continuously expand various play and counseling activities to support the healthy development of families of JBNU international students and children in the local community."