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Child Development Laboratory |
The mission of the Child Development Laboratory at East Carolina University is to support education, research, and outreach with respect to the following:
- The development of young children, both typical and atypical, from birth through kindergarten
- The preparation of teachers and other professionals who provide education and intervention for young children
- Innovation and developmentally appropriate educational practices with young children
- Assessment and intervention for young children
- Family-focused education and intervention
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The Child Development Laboratory (CDL) has been a part of the university for over sixty years, providing opportunities for students of child development and early education to gain "hands on" experience working with young children and their families. All birth through kindergarten teacher education students and child life majors complete practicum and/or internship experiences in the CDL. Practicum experiences in the CDL afford students an opportunity to integrate theory and practice in a closely supervised model classroom setting.
Additionally, the CDL supports faculty and student research and serves as a model demonstration program for the Eastern North Carolina region. ECU's program is one of the few infant-toddler model programs in North Carolina . The Child Development Laboratory is accredited by the Academy of Early Childhood Programs , a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and holds a five-star childcare center license rating from the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Child Development. |
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Program Philosophy
The program follows the Developmentally Appropriate Practices Guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The program's theoretical orientation and education model is eclectic, drawing on theories of Erickson, Brofenbrenner, Piaget, and Vygotsky. The children are in mixed-age groupings where they are encouraged to develop competency, independent thinking, and problem solving. The integrated curriculum is rich in play, social interaction, and language, and children have wide latitude in choices about learning activities each day. The program emphasizes active play in the natural outdoor environment.
Families are considered integral to the Child Development Laboratory program. Parents are welcomed in the lab and encouraged to spend time in their child's classroom. A parent group provides additional opportunities for parent involvement. |
Enrollment
The CDL serves 32 infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, and is open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The lab operates on the same schedule as the university's calendar. The children enrolled in the program represent a diverse range of family backgrounds, race, ethnicity, ability, and socioeconomic levels.
To apply for admission to the Child Development Laboratory, please contact the lab for an application or contact Ms. Nan Lee at leen@ecu.edu or call 252-328-6926. |
Staffing
A faculty master teacher and a graduate assistant staff each classroom. Teachers are assisted by student interns who assist with activities for each group of children (curriculum planning, guidance, parent conferences, etc.). |
For more information contact:
Ms. Nan Lee, Director
Child Development Laboratory
Department of Child Development and Family Relations
College of Human Ecology
East Carolina University
Rivers 151
Greenville , NC 27858-4353
Phone: 252-328-6926
leen@ecu.edu
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