Center in Edmond, OK 73034
The University of Central Oklahoma Child Study Center is located in the Human Environmental Sciences (HES) building and operated by the Family Life Education Program within the College of Education (COE).
Since 1956, The University of Central Oklahoma’s Child Study Center has offered a quality programs for children and has served as a training and observation site for UCO students. Student involvement in the center coincides with course work. Students can be directly involved with guiding the young children, planning curriculum activities or conducting observation assignments in the center or from our observation booth.
The Child Study Center enrollment consists of children of UCO students, faculty, staff and community.
The Program:
The Child Study Center provides half day programs for young children using best practices based on established quality standards and research in the field. The program supports the education, training and research efforts of UCO students and faculty while offering of valuable learning experiences for our children and families. Our program offers two sections, morning/afternoon, children attend Monday – Thursday. The child study center is a three star facility that is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Our program is a half day program with 3-4 year olds in the morning session from 9:00- 11:30 a.m. and 4-5 year olds in the afternoon session from 1:00-3:30 p.m. The children attend Monday-Thursday. The program follows the UCO calendar. The tuition is $325.00 per semester. For more information, please call 974-5788. An application can be download and mailed in. Acceptance will be confirmed by letter if a placement is available. Otherwise, you will be placed on a waiting list.
Training and Observation Site:
It is important for parents to understand that the children in the child study center are observed by students enrolled in specific courses at UCO. The study center also serves as a training site. There will be some students that will work directly with your child under supervision of the child study center staff. All UCO students are instructed to use confidentiality regarding issues that involve the children and their families.
Program Approach:
We use a Project Approach to teaching and learning. This approach capitalizes on familiar experiences of the children; it provides a learning environment where children learn through investigation, observation and discussion. A project to us is defined as an in-depth investigation of a real world topic worthy of children’s attention and effort. The study may be carried out by a class or by small groups of children. Projects can be undertaken with children of any age. They do not usually constitute the whole educational program. The children will play and explore as well as engage in projects.
The Project Approach refers to a set of teaching strategies which enable teachers to guide children through in-depth studies of real world topics. The Project Approach is not unstructured. There is a complex but flexible framework with features that characterize the teaching-learning interaction. When teachers implement the Project Approach successfully, children can be highly motivated, feel actively involved in their own learning, and produce work of a high quality. Projects enrich young children’s dramatic play, construction, painting and drawing by relating these activities to life outside school.
Program Goals
Parent Participation
Parents are encouraged to visit and participate. Opportunities for involvement include the following:
Parent Communication Guidelines
In efforts to maintain ongoing communication, several mechanisms are in place, which include:
Want more information?
The Child Study Center provides young children an opportunity to learn through developmentally appropriate experiences, based on current knowledge of child growth and development. The program respects individual differences, emphasizes social skills and emotional health, and promotes self expression through various activities. Time spent at the Child Study Center will encourage the development of high self-esteem and a sense of achievement.