Lab School
Welcome to the University of Delaware Lab School! The Lab School serves the University of Delaware as a model of inclusive early childhood education addressing the needs and strengths of varied populations. We welcome children aged 6 months – 6 years and their families into our developmentally supportive part-time and full-time programs that range from infants to kindergarten. We are an innovation lab supporting the growth and development of University students while serving children, families, and the community. Since 1934, Lab School has supported UD’s academic programs preparing the next generation of professionals while providing a diverse, supportive, and accessible site for research conducted by faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and the Lab School staff.
Lab School is part of the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) within the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Delaware. The Master Teachers enact the practices taught to the undergraduate majors with a focus on child-centered curriculum, developmentally appropriate practices, Nature-based education, social-emotional, and mindfulness curriculum. Lab School is a living, breathing laboratory for undergraduates who are making connections between what they learn in their courses and real-life teaching.
LATEST LAB SCHOOL NEWS
Lab School 90th Anniversary Celebration
Learning in Nature
Leaders in Nature-Based Education
Three Blue Hens Honored for Green Efforts
SOCIAL MEDIA
Lab School Facebook
“The UD Lab School is beyond anything I could have ever hoped for my children. Everyday, I am inspired by the teaching teams’ commitment to demonstrating and teaching mindfulness, connecting children to nature, bringing them together in authentic child-led interactions and discovery and developing a sense of community among the families.”
— BethAnn Aupperle, Lab School parent
Getting even your older children outside has incredible benefits- including improving mood and reducing stress! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Today we went on a treasure hunt! Nature is full of treasures!!! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I heard about this!! They had so much fun!
Love love love this
Consider for just a moment the amount of thought that went into the intentional set up of this Learning Without Tears arrival invitation. Work rugs, trays, letter mats, curves, lines, sample letters & numerals.
What stands out to you in this snapshot of our PreK classroom? ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
So intentional and inviting! Children can still learn what they need to learn through play and age appropriate activities! Well done!
I love this!!!! 🫶🏻🎉
We spent the afternoon together celebrating the beautiful life of Cynthia Paris. We are so very grateful to be part of a community that is supportive and understanding to allow us to attend. We shared stories, reminisced, and considered how to have Cynthia’s legacy live on.
Stay tuned for more information…
Special thanks to Robert Lear & Kristie Petrullo Campbell, Terrain At Styers was absolutely perfect and reminded us so much of our dear director. ~ ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you all for coming. Cynthia loved you and the Lab School so dearly. It meant so much to us to have you there and hear your stories about her. We look forward to staying in touch and continuing her legacy!
It was a perfect location that reflected Cynthia’s love of a natural environment and bringing people together to listen and share memories. Some laughter and smiles but many, many tears. Having Cynthia no longer in our lives is still unimaginable. đź’”
We 🧡 FALL gifts from nature! The colors, the message of “letting go”, and the element of anticipation each morning before we head outside fill us with JOY! ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Yes--the Joy of Autumn. This post made me think of a story: Back in the 1970s when I was a toddler teacher in a parent coop in Wilmington, I was in the outdoor area with the kids. A 15-month-old very quiet girl picked up a leaf. I crouched down, was about to ask questions and make some pithy (!) comments--when I noticed that she was staring intently at the leaf, carefully holding it by its stem, turning it in her hand. It's like she'd never seen an orange/yellow leaf before! (Well, the previous fall she was only 3 months old, so I guess she hadn't!) That was when I learned an important teacher lesson: There's a time for questions, for scaffolding, etc.--and then there's a time to just keep my mouth shut & watch the child's experience unfold. Obviously, that was an important lesson for me, since I can vividly recall it 50+ years later!
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook