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
Inspire Learning Through Outdoor Play
Research Spotlight: Jennifer Gallo-Fox and Dorit Radnai-Griffin
In Bloom in Delaware
In Memoriam: Cynthia Paris
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
The theme of Nat Start ‘26 is Imagine If… and we have been so excited doing just that! Yesterday, Amanda Bluebird & Katie Goldfinch presented on their year long bird study and we were able to imagine if every child connected to birds the way our littles do. We met folks from Ruth Staples Child Development Center from Nebraska Lab School and got to imagine if there was a lab school nature network. After hearing about incredible work in policy and grass roots efforts to imagine if we could connect EVERY child to nature, we attended the Higher Ed Summit. Christie Alden from the Lawson Foundation shared about “More Than a Course”where we got to imagine if nature and outdoor learning was woven into more of our work with undergrads. We are feeling so motivated, encouraged, hopeful, and stimulated! ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Soaking up the environments here Natural Start Alliance conference! We were able to check out more of the Zoo school outdoor spaces and took a stroll through Hemisphere park last night. This city encourages nature connections for ALL! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Day one of Natural Start Alliance conference was enlightening, inspiring, and refreshing! Katie & Kristen presented about our incredible student teachers and how they are continuing to infuse nature practices in their work. We also attended such rich, thought-provoking sessions that have left us thinking, planning, and talking about how to use what we learned! The San Antonio Zoo is so very beautiful! We are so grateful that our Lab School supports professional development in this way! 🌻🌱🌵 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Last week, during Adventure Camp Week 4, we had a visit from our Berry Fairy, Amanda Lala. Since UD Cooperative Extension has moved, we have been gifted the gardens and have enjoyed the literal fruits of their labor. We were able to harvest enough berries to make homemade jam and biscuits! Yummy!🍓The children have loved picking warm, ripe strawberries and tasting their deliciousness. We are GRATEFUL! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy Birthday to our Ms. Liz! Grateful for your energy, creativity, and love for all children. We hope you had the BEST day! ... See MoreSee Less
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Adventure Summer Camp has been an absolute BLAST! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook