Lab School

Honor Cynthia Paris’ Legacy with a Gift to Transform the Lab School Playground

With loving support from family, friends and community members, the University of Delaware Lab School is fundraising for a renovated playground that will honor the late Cynthia Paris. Dr. Paris was a professor emeritus in the College of Education and Human Development’s (CEHD) Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) and former director of the Lab School, a pioneering early education center housed on CEHD’s Children’s Campus. 

The Lab School’s collaboration with Studio Ludo has resulted in an exciting new design that incorporates all of the children and faculty’s needs in the existing playground footprint. Together, they will create a beautiful play space that supports children’s physical, emotional and cognitive growth, as well as opportunities for undergraduate student learning. The playground will include areas for balancing, climbing, sand play, water play, construction and imagination, among other features.

“Cynthia was an integral part of the preparations for the Lab School’s 90th anniversary celebration during the 2024-2025 academic year and was excited about making playground renovations the fundraising goal,” said Dorit Radnai-Griffin, director of the Lab School and assistant professor in HDFS. “Cynthia was very interested in the design firm Studio Ludo’s research background, which informs their approach to play. When Cynthia left us so abruptly, we knew we needed this project to be completed in her memory.”

Studio Ludo is a Philadelphia-based design firm rooted in research demonstrating that play space and play culture go hand in hand for creating playful learning atmospheres that foster creative expression and joyful exploration. It is responsible for the initial rendering of the playscape pictured above.

A Tireless Advocate for Young Children

A UD alumna, Dr. Paris played a key role in the development of the Lab School. Since its founding in 1934, the school has served as a rich laboratory for UD students studying early childhood education and researchers while providing excellent care for children from the ages of six months through kindergarten. The school has since become a leader in nature-based education and mindfulness.

Dr. Paris came to UD in 1975 as a preschool teacher in the school, a position she held for 10 years. In 2003, she returned to UD as an associate professor in HDFS, and she served as director of the Lab School from 2012-2019. She retired in 2020 and was honored with the title professor emeritus.

“I’m so grateful to have had Cynthia as a colleague on our early childhood faculty,” said Jason Hustedt, professor and chair of HDFS. “She was tirelessly committed to young children. Her support for new generations of professionals and leaders in their work with young children was unparalleled.”

In 2018, Dr. Paris received the college’s Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes faculty members who demonstrate an outstanding model of teaching that promotes excellence. She was honored for exemplifying “the qualities of a true teacher-scholar who is deeply committed to improving early childhood education and [who] demonstrates a deep commitment to supporting quality educational experiences for children and families in the community.”

“Cynthia made significant contributions to both the Lab School and our early childhood education program,” said Rena Hallam, interim dean of CEHD and professor in HDFS. “She is dearly missed by many of her colleagues and former students.” 

“Cynthia tremendously impacted the trajectory of my life, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her,” Radnai-Griffin said. “As my mentor and close friend for many years, she allowed me to grow professionally. Cynthia’s commitment and love for the UD Lab School were evident in everything she did daily.”