Outlook Magazine - Fall 2018

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

a pl ace to learn

and grow

At the UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center, collaboration is key.

f

rom early childhood education classes to school psychology courses, from Arts Integration Menomonie to working with graphic communications students, the center is a unique child care program offering college students opportunities to link educational theories from the classroom with hands-on practice. It is one of only two university laboratory schools in Wisconsin; the other is at UW-Madison. The center provides child care for children of staff, students and families in the community while fostering teacher preparation and allowing classroom observation. Undergraduates participate weekly in the toddler and preschool lab classrooms as part of their early childhood education coursework. Many undergraduates are employed as work-study students. Other students work part time as teaching assistants, teacher materials assistants and food service prep workers. Graduate assistants within the food and nutrition program assist with menu planning and preparation of healthy snacks while students from the school psychology

program have assisted with assessment of children’s developmental progress. The center, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, has five classrooms in the preschool building near campus and the Infant-Toddler Lab in Heritage Hall, providing services for children from six weeks to six years of age. The program originated when the preschool building opened in fall 1971 and Heritage Hall in 1973. Merging the two sites under one roof and updating spaces is one of the goals of the center, which is licensed for 68 students. Having one facility would provide opportunities for even more collaboration, said Allison Feller, center director. “We are utilized across the board on this campus, and we are reaching more pro- grams every year,” Feller said. “We stay abreast of what’s happening in the field of early childhood development and welcome other program involvement in our center to forward best practices in their field.” For example, Marcia Wolf, a senior instructional specialist, collaborates

Robert F. Cervenka

weekly in the infant room with former educator Peggy Nelson using Skype to bring music into the classroom. “Music can help in a fun way to develop essential attachments and learn basic routines,” Wolf said. Children benefit in a variety of ways, and teachers in the infant room put theory into practice by using sign language while singing songs such as “Itsy-bitsy Spider” with children. Top: Marcia Wolf, a senior instructional specialist, greets a musician over Skype; bottom: Students play along with music

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