Cal Poly Preschool Lab

The Josey Stearns Preschool Laboratory provides Cal Poly students with opportunities to apply their knowledge of child development as they interact with children and families. In doing so, the lab supports the university's “Learn by Doing” approach to education. Each day, students prepare the setting to include a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, providing a rich play-based environment from which children can choose how they will spend their time. The ratio of children to teachers is low, facilitating close communication with families, and planning for the needs and interests of individual children. Students' efforts in these areas are guided by a supervising faculty member who assists students in using research and theory in child development to inform their interactions with children and families. In addition to serving as a site for hands-on experience working with children, the Preschool Lab facilitates faculty and student research on children's learning and development. For example, visitors to the Preschool Lab can unobtrusively observe young children's activities through special one-way mirrors that span the classroom. Students enrolled in a variety of classes at Cal Poly have benefited from the opportunity to observe children in this manner.