The
Child Development Centers at the University of Rhode Island offer
preschool and kindergarten programs for children ages 3 to 6 years.
The original Child Development Center is located on the Kingston
campus of the University. The Dr. Pat Feinstein Child Development
Center is located at the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Continuing
Education in Providence. These programs are operated by the Department
of Human Development and Family Studies in order to provide a setting
for observation, participation, and research focusing on young
children and their families. Opportunities in these areas are
available to all students and faculty at the University.
The Child Development Centers fulfill missions for the Department
and the University in three general areas: 1) undergraduate and
graduate teaching, 2) research, and 3) community service.
- Teaching
The Child Development Centers provide opportunities for
undergraduate and graduate students to observe and participate
with young children through coursework and independent study.
Students develop a frame of reference concerning the growth,
development, and behavior of young children. They also gain
valuable experience in implementing and evaluating activities,
studying children's progress, and developing skills in interacting
with children.
- Research
The Child Development Centers strive to stimulate faculty and
student research in order to generate new knowledge and develop
innovative educational practices. The Child Development Centers
provide an excellent resource for the study of the child in the
context of the family, the classroom, and the community. The
research program is coordinated so that disruption of the
children's educational program is minimized.
- Community Service
The Child Development Centers are dedicated to providing
exemplary early childhood care and education programs for children
and families and serve as a model of the best in early childhood
practices. As the campus "lab schools", the centers
serve as a resource for practicing early childhood educators.
Educators from across the state and region can call with questions
or requests to observe. The staff also participates in outreach
activities by being active in professional organizations and
presenting at state and local conferences.
Program Philosophy
The Child Development Center programs are based on the belief in
the uniqueness and intrinsic value of each child, parent, student, and
staff member. The staff of the Child Development Centers strive to
help each child and family feel safe, secure, and comfortable by
providing a nurturing and accepting atmosphere.
The curriculum is based on the understanding that young children
learn best through play which involves them in actively constructing
their own knowledge. The programs provide a warm and stimulating
atmosphere which offers children opportunities to play alone and to
interact with peers and adults. The staff structures the environment
with a rich and diverse range of experiences in an open classroom
setting and then serves as resources to the children during their
explorations.
Children learn about themselves and the world around them through
play, stories, games, songs, creative art, and interactions with peers
and adults.
The daily schedule provides a balance of active and quiet times,
individual as well as small and large group activities, and indoor and
outdoor settings. Throughout the day, children are encouraged to make
choices in their exploration of the world.
