BYU Child and Family Studies Laboratory

The Child and Family Studies Laboratory operates a preschool for children who are 4 by September 1st and a kindergarten for children who are 5 by September 30th. Because we are a teacher training facility, each class has a low student-teacher ratio of 4-5 adults to 20 children. As such, we work to meet the individual needs of each student as we focus on their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth throughout the year. Further, we use our knowledge of child development, their social needs and the cultural context of the children and teachers in our classroom to build off prior knowledge to construct new ideas. This is done by offering an engaging, meaningful, play-based curriculum which fosters curiosity and nurtures a love of learning. The philosophical foundation for the program is based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the criteria outlined in Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC, 2021). Our Mission Statement: 1) Mentor BYU students majoring in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Family and Consumer Science Education (FCSE); 2) Provide a model preschool and kindergarten program based on Developmentally Appropriate Practices; 3) Encourage, facilitate, and conduct research with young children and families. Visit our website preschool.byu.edu for more information.