HDFS Children's Programs: Child Development Laboratory
Our Philosophy
At the Child Development Laboratory (CDL) we believe children learn primarily through play and exploration of their environment while engaged in relationships with peers and responsive adults. We also believe children learn best when they feel comfortable, know what is expected of them, can experience success, and are able to express themselves in a warm, secure, and nurturing environment. It is our responsibility to promote their growth by providing them with a stimulating, accepting, and comfortable place to spend their day.
We strive to offer a variety of experiences and opportunities for our children. The daily schedule provides a balance of outdoor and free play with restful and more focused periods. Children play a strong role in our curriculum development. We build on their interests and ideas. Themes and activities are child-initiated.
Our Curriculum
In the CDL classrooms we believe that curriculum should be constantly developing-just like the children. We see children as curriculum makers and the activities, projects and ideas which we explore emerge from the children themselves. We see our program as a community of learners including children, families, and teachers. If we are careful observers, children will show us what they need to learn through their intrinsic curiosity about themselves, each other, and the world around them. Our role is to set the stage for their learning through appropriate materials, engaging questions, and a variety of choices.
Our Environment
Our center offers three large classrooms with mixed-age groupings where children learn from each other as well as from the setting itself. Our large outdoor play area extends the learning environment. Beyond our gates is the beautiful Penn State campus and surrounding town which offer wonderful opportunities for walks and excursions. We see the environment as a powerful teaching tool and careful attention is paid to the design, furnishings, and materials which fill our rooms.
Sense of Wonder is our infant and toddler room with space specifically designed for children six weeks to three years of age. The room is known for its inviting environment where low platforms and shelving, cozy caves, safe climbers, and accessible materials offer the opportunity for our youngest children to actively explore their surroundings. Low partitions create a sense of comfort and intimacy while allowing for easy adult supervision.
Room to Grow and Bridge for Learning are the two CDL classrooms for children between the ages of three and six. These rooms are alive with activity in areas designed to encourage dramatic play, construction, creative art, music, literature, sharing, and small and larger group encounters. As you walk through these rooms it is the work of the children that tells the story of their current projects, investigations, and discoveries.
Bennett Playground - Our playground meets the latest guidelines for safety. Renovations were completed in 1990 and updated in 1999 and were made possible through a generous gift from Edna Bennett Pierce '53 and the late Eugene Bennett. The staff is proud of its reputation for providing safe outdoor play for young children and will continue to provide a state-of-the-art, demonstration playground which can serve as a model for the community and beyond.
Our Staff
At the Child Development Lab, we believe that a high quality setting for young children is built by gifted teachers. Our unique environment and relationship with Penn State attract the most qualified teachers who are educated, experienced, and motivated by their interest in young children. Their goal is to provide children with responsive adult caregivers and an environment rich in opportunities to explore. We believe that child care is a partnership between parents and teachers who value children as individuals and who believe that positive relationships are the foundation for future success. Our outstanding teachers are supported in their work by a director, assistant director, staff assistant, and kitchen manager.
Read more about the Child Development Lab staff.