Cheng Shiu University Early Childhood Education Students Tour with “Madeline” to Inspire Confidence, Courage, and Adventure through Children's Theater

Students from the Family and Social Work track of the Department of Early Childhood Education at Cheng Shiu University recently launched a children’s theater touring project, bringing a message of confidence, bravery, and adventure to young audiences at social welfare organizations and preschools. Beyond storytelling, the project aims to create genuine human connections in an era saturated with digital devices, offering children a heartfelt experience through live, interactive performance.

CSU President Dr. Jui-Chang Kung praised this year’s tour as an innovative first for the department—led by social work track students performing small-scale interactive plays at kindergartens and child welfare institutions. “This initiative brings the department’s strengths directly into the field,” he noted. “It not only delivers joy and positive values to children but also demonstrates the department’s integration of early childhood education and social work.”

“Madeline”: A Story of Courage in the Face of Illness

The featured play, “Madeline”, tells the story of a brave little girl living in an orphanage who faces a sudden health crisis—appendicitis—with strength and determination. Even though she is small and ill, Madeline remains fearless, showing children that no matter how vulnerable they may feel, they can confront life’s challenges with courage and hope.

Six Performances, Over 600 Participants

To date, the tour has completed six performances, including visits to Longhua, Shijia, and Zhuangjing Non-Profit Preschools, Cheng Shiu University Preschool, Qianzhen Ai-Qun Parent-Child Center, and the Kaohsiung Red Cross Children’s Home, reaching more than 600 children and participants.

At the Red Cross Children’s Home in particular, the performance was met with deeply touching interactions between CSU students and the children in residence. The team hoped to instill confidence and encouragement in these young audiences, inspiring them to believe in themselves and strive in school—while planting seeds for future contributions to society.

A Meaningful Graduation Project with Real-World Impact

Professor Wu Zong-Ren, Chair of the Department of Early Childhood Education, emphasized that the performers were fourth-year students in the Family and Social Work track, all driven by compassion and dedication. The tour served as both a community outreach initiative and a practical graduation experience, allowing students to break through personal boundaries while applying their training in real settings. “The children they performed for represent the very people they will serve in their future careers,” Professor Wu remarked. “This was a valuable opportunity to prepare for professional life through meaningful engagement.”

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