The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) announced that its founder and CEO, Gloria DeGaetano, has had a portion of her book Screen Smarts reprinted in a Japanese textbook used by Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU). The selection, titled “As Children Grow: Screen Influence,” will appear in two editions of the textbook—one current through 2027 and the other for the 2027-2029 term—published by Kyogakusha. The reprint includes a Japanese translation and explanation to help high school students grasp the meaning and difficult grammatical points in the text.
KGU, a prestigious institution in the Kansai region with campuses in Nishinomiya, Sanda, Osaka, and Tokyo, partners with 320 universities and 60 organizations worldwide. The 2027-2029 edition is affiliated with KGU’s Schools of Theology, Sociology, Economics, International Studies, and Education. Kyogakusha, based in Kyoto, specializes in publishing collections of past university entrance exams, making them accessible and affordable for high school students who may lack private tutoring resources.
DeGaetano expressed her honor at being contacted by KGU, noting their attention to detail and smooth collaboration. She emphasized the enduring relevance of her message: “The more children stare into a two-dimensional flat surface, the less their brain develops optimally. Tech cannot do what sensory and lived experiences do to help little humans flourish.” This principle has been central to her work for over 30 years and is integral to the parent coach training program she developed.
The Parent Coaching Institute, recognized as an innovative leader in family support, offers a year-long online Parent Coach Certification® program in affiliation with Southern New Hampshire University. The program attracts highly skilled professionals and is currently accepting applications for the 2026 Fall Term, with a deadline of September 1. More information is available at www.ThePCI.org.
This news matters because it highlights the global recognition of research on screen time’s impact on child development, particularly as technology becomes more complex. For leaders in business and technology, it underscores the importance of balancing digital tools with real-world experiences to foster optimal human development. The inclusion in Japanese educational materials also signals a cross-cultural acknowledgment of these concerns, potentially influencing how technology is integrated into education and family life worldwide.
