As is typical of Laboratory Schools, The Infant/Toddler Lab School serves three basic functions to the university community and the wider community within which we reside.
Teaching
The Infant/Toddler Lab School provides opportunities for college students to observe and participate with children in various ways. Students observe and participate in order to develop a frame of reference concerning the growth, development and behavior of young children. These experiences allow students to participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of activities, observe children's reactions to the routines of the day, study their progress within the program and develop skills in interacting positively with both individual children and groups.
In addition, the Infant/Toddler Lab School provides exemplary care to children in our community. Typically, families utilizing the Lab School work for or are taking classes at the university. In this way, the Lab School supports the pursuit of higher education.
Research
The Infant/Toddler Lab School is actively involved in the generation of new knowledge and the development of innovative educational practices. We are pleased to serve students in fields that require observation or interaction with children. Often they are just collecting observational data, but at times they may visit or interact with your child.
People wishing to engage in observation and/or research at the Infant/Toddler Lab School are carefully and cautiously screened by College Authorities and the Director. The research component is coordinated so that interference or disruption of the educational program is minimized.
Service
The Infant/Toddler Lab School is dedicated to providing an exemplary early childhood education program for children and families and to serving as a model of the best in early childhood practices.