University Laboratory Preschools

Book excerpt: This volume is a collection of articles that showcase new research that is emerging from laboratory schools, guided by principles of applied developmental science. In the 1920's, new university laboratory preschools ushered in a modern era of child development research. Campus preschools with a research mission were home to seminal studies of children's play and age-related changes in children's abilities. They produced data about normative child development, along with evidence-based practical advice for teachers and parents. Now, nearly 100 years later, lab schools are still thriving in many colleges and universities as centers of research, education and care for young children, support for families, and practical education for students and teachers of young children. However, with tightening higher education budgets and changing research agendas, many lab schools are struggling to focus and balance these research, education, and service missions. The chapter authors illustrate a variety of ways that faculty and laboratory school early childhood educators are collaborating to do research to address critical issues in the early childhood field, including the preparation of the next generation of early childhood professionals. This book was originally published as a special issue of Early Education and Development.