The Early Childhood Center
Philosophy
The Early Childhood Center is
the Lab school for Colorado State University's Human Development and Family
Studies Program. We offer a quality program for young children.
The central focus of the program
is to promote a positive self-concept and to respect the unique individual
differences in each child. We also explore ways to support families.
Meaningful educational
experiences are planned in a caring atmosphere to promote the physical, social,
emotional, and intellectual growth of each child. This is done through play
with blocks, art, music, food preparation, dramatic play, water, sand, and
observation of natural phenomena. These activities are done in a multicultural,
anti-biased environment.
Through the encouragement of
self-expression, curiosity, and exploration of his/her own world, both at home
and at school, the preschool aged child will develop a healthy self-image, a
sense of responsibility, helpfulness, and will learn problem-solving and
decision-making skills. The purpose of the center is threefold: (1)
Teaching graduate and undergraduate students about the observation and teaching
of young children; (2) Service to the needs of children and families in an
enriched learning environment; (3) Research to provide available subjects for
projects conducted by faculty members and students.
Purpose
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Teaching-to involve graduate and undergraduate students in
observation and participation experiences with young children.
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Service-to serve the needs of children and their families for
a half-day or full day enriched environment.
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Research-and to provide research/study available subjects for
research conducted by faculty members and students.
Parent Involvement Encouraged
Parents are one of the most valuable aspects of our program. Let us know what
you have to share with the Early Childhood Laboratories. Your contributions can
greatly enrich our program. Some of these contributions might include sharing
your culture, grant writing, helping us locate materials, or just giving us
your ideas.
We want you to know, understand and discuss with us our goals. We want you to
look often into our busy, happy, noisy, creative classrooms and see your child
at play.
History
The Early Childhood Center has been serving children in the community for 74
years. In 1929 the program opened at the site where the Rainbow Restaurant now
sits on Laurel Street. At this time it was only a summer program. The preschool
moved to Rockwell Hall in 1972 and in 1974 the Village Child Care Center opened
across the street from the current Gifford site. In 1976 the ECC moved into the
Gifford Building and the ECC Toddler Center opened in 1982 when the Village
child Care Center and the Preschool combined.
Curriculum
The Early Childhood Lab is the Lab School for the Colorado State University
Human Development and Family Studies program. We offer a quality program for
young children. Weekly curriculum is created to enhance the learning process of
the children in specific areas of development. These plans include structured
activities based on the development stages and interests of the children. There
are large blocks of time for self-directed activities as well as
teacher-directed large and small groups.
The indoor and outdoor environment, as well as the broader community, is
utilized in carrying out the daily program. Included are: art, science,
pre-math, reading, music, language arts, dramatic play, outdoor play, large and
small motor activities.
While no specific attempt is made to teach "academic" skills (reading, writing,
etc.)
program activities are seen as a foundation for these skills that will be
formally taught at a later stage in development.
Contact us!
Linda Carlson, Director
The Early Childhood Center
Human Development and Family Studies
131 Gifford Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1570
Telephone: (970) 491-7082
Facsimile: (970) 491-2003
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