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Child Study Center
FAQs
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A lab school is designed to facilitate observation and research, as well as to serve as a normal preschool. Our school was designated to be used by Wellesley College faculty and students who observe and study child development here. Because of their affiliation with colleges and universities, lab schools usually have access to greater resources, physical and intellectual, and state of the art educational theory, and thus often serve as model schools and teachers training sites. How are we different from other Nursery Schools? The Child Study Center is different from other nursery schools in that we are an adjunct to the Psychology Department at Wellesley College. Because of this affiliation, Wellesley College students volunteer in our classrooms and use the facility for their assignments, which can range from the simple observation of child development to the design of an ethical research project.What is the philosophy of the CSC? The program is designed to meet the diverse social, physical, emotional and cognitive needs of individual children and foster independence, self-respect, concern for others, and age-appropriate competencies. Drawing from all major educational theorists, the CSC offers a learning environment that is a structured, open classroom, emphasizing hands on experience, individual choice and process within a group setting.How do we compare with Montessori Schools? Although we are not a Montessori school, the CSC incorporates many Montessorian principles and materials, for example, explicit presentations of learning activities, actual Montessori equipment, and work with practical items and real jobs, such as scrub brushes and sandpaper.How are your classrooms staffed? Our head teachers all have extensive experience working with young children, and are Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) qualified. They usually have a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. Each classroom has a head teacher and a teaching intern who are in the room each day. Also, assigned to each room is a student teacher who usually works three days a week. In addition, we have Wellesley College students who participate as work study or who volunteer in conjunction with course work related to child development or education. They have regular, consistent weekly hours. What kind of research
is done here? Faculty, staff, and students may conduct research in developmental psychology. The aim of most studies is to help college students learn the ethics and methods of research. All studies are reviewed and approved by the Psychology Department Ethics Committee, the Parent Research Review Committee and the staff of the CSC to ensure that they are not only developmentally appropriate, but also engaging for the children. (Children call the studies "games" and receive stickers as rewards for participation.) All researchers first spend time in the classrooms allowing children to become familiar with them and then all research is monitored by the Director. Parents are always notified prior to research and given results at semester's end. Only group results are shared and confidentiality is strictly enforced. Parents and children can always decline to participate in the research. What is the routine
of the morning? The daily routine of each class is different, but each room has at least one outside time (when weather permits), a group time, and a snack time. The oldest and middle groups (3's and 4's) usually start and end each morning outside, while the youngest group (2's) begins inside. Group times usually include song and story, but may incorporate, for example, group discussion, visitors, creative movement, or slide show. We incorporate music into our curriculum daily and occasionally have friends, family members, and/or students share their talents with us. Do the children go on field trips? We take walking field trips on the Wellesley College Campus only. Are the children taught to read? Do they learn their letters and numbers (reading and counting)? Learning to read is a process, not an event. We provide an environment rich in concrete experiences, for example, sequencing, drawing, writing, letter recognition, being read to, story telling, patterning, etc. in order to foster reading skills. The same is true for math. The classroom environment and program will invite children to explore reading and math concepts in a developmentally appropriate manner as each child is ready. How do we handle discipline and what are our rules? Discipline at the Child Study Center is designed to help each child assume increasing amounts of his or her own inner control with the support of caring adults. Do children need
to be toilet trained? Children need not be toilet trained. Youngest Group children, (2's) are always accompanied to the bathroom. Children in the Middle and Oldest Groups (3's and 4's) may manage on their own with an adult nearby in the adjacent hallway. Children are never left unattended. What kind of security do we have? Our front door is kept closed at all times once children are in the building, and the Assistant to the Director is seated where she can monitor the doorway throughout the morning. Do we have stay days, afternoon programs or summer programs? No. What is the child's schoolday like? Each class is staffed by a head teacher (usually with a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development), an assistant/intern, plus a varying number of students and volunteers who are committed to a regular schedule for at least one semester. Most mornings offer opportunities for children to have an appropriate balance of quiet and active, indoor and outdoor activities. Our curriculum is carefully planned to meet the social and emotional, physical and cognitive needs of each child. We know that children may make independent but suitable choices from a variety of activities. While new materials and activities are regularly introduced, materials that are considered essential for all young children are always available in each class, such as: Playdough, sand, water, blocks, books, easel paints, manipulative toys, puzzles, crayons, dress-up clothes. Depending on the age group and individual child's ability, the materials and activities will be used in various ways. In addition, the program offers a wide range of other appropriate activities including music, creative movement and dance, and cooking. Classes occasionally take short impromptu walks on campus or more organized "field trips" to facilities like the Jewett Art Museum and the Greenhouses. We sometimes ask parents to accompany the group on these excursions. All groups follow roughly the same schedule, with the middle and oldest groups beginning the morning outside and the youngest group starting inside. The remainder of the morning is generally structured as follows: 9:00-10:30 Free-play , work time |