Child Development Lab Classes

Gain Experience Working with Children in Lab Classes at Texas Tech

The Child Development Research Center and the Center for Early Head Start provide high-quality, hands-on learning experiences to Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS), Early Childhood Education (ECE), and Human Sciences (HS) majors as they teach infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Students apply developmental knowledge into practice and engage in research-backed teaching with constructive feedback and guidance from faculty supervisors and classroom teachers. This experiential learning is highly valuable to any student interested in working with infants and children in education, health professions, and health and human services settings. Both centers also employ selected students as Student Assistants (See open positions for CDRC or CEHS) and provide them with opportunities to increase their professional experience.

Available Courses

EC/HDFS 3311 - Supervised Experiences with Infants and Toddlers

• 3 Semester Credit Hours.
• Prerequisite: 2.5 TTU GPA, unless student is registered in first semester. Supervised experience with infants and toddlers. State law requires students to pass a background check. 

EC/HDFS 3313 - Supervised Experiences with Young Children

• 3 Semester Credit Hours 
• Prerequisite: 2.5 TTU GPA. Supervised experience with young children. State law requires students to pass a background check.

Testimonials

"I always refer back to the CDRC when I'm talking with colleagues and administrators about my behavior management and interactions with students. I loved my time there and wish daily that I could just spend one more moment with everyone!" - Autumn Handley - Early Childhood Education graduate, Current Teacher

"I participated in the labs at the CDRC for both the infant and toddler classrooms. I attended the lectures with Cindy and Stacy and simultaneously completed the hands-on experience weekly at the CDRC itself. I had the BEST experience doing this. Coming into the classrooms is a little intimidating at first but the teachers give amazing directions and pointers as to what you should do. The kids warm up to you and it's so fun to get to learn while playing with children!  I am currently a 4th grade teacher in Dallas and as funny as it sounds, the CDRC still plays a part in how I teach today! While at the CDRC, I acquired the knowledge of how to allow kids to organically learn through play. I also gained the skill of redirecting unwanted behaviors and encouraging and promoting positive behavior whether it was my intent or not. For example, if I planned a lesson having the toddlers paint with paint pens. The intention is that the child grabs the paint pens and creates a 'drawing on paper'. Now, if a child wanted to instead use their hands to paint, rather than telling them 'no' I would encourage their creativity (while not harmful).  As I teach currently, I remind myself to allow kids to use their own ideas to get to a common ground. With standardized tests, this can be easier said than done, but it is more than possible. Another benefit of learning about children's development at such a young age is just that! I know how a kid works because of their development! There is so much comfort in knowing, as a teacher, the differences in children without being intimidated or scared. I am also able to make much more educated decisions when helping diagnose a child with dyslexia, ADHD, and emotional/ mental difficulties. I am forever grateful for my time at the CDRC and all that I have learned and apply to this day because of it." - Amy Thomson - Early Childhood Education graduate, Current Teacher

"My professional career started as a Kindergarten and 2nd grade teacher for 2 different school districts in the Panhandle/West Texas. I have spent the last 10 years teaching part-time Pre-K to 4 and 5-year-olds at private Christian-based schools. I am now the director of a licensed childcare facility located on campus at WTAMU in Canyon. I am also a mom to 3 children who are currently 9, 8 and 6. My time at the CDRC in my lab classes pre-service prepared me in so many ways.  The experience of observation through the 2 way mirrors allowed me to see how to talk and interact with children of various ages in a low-stress environment. I appreciated the scaffolding of observation through the mirrors, observation in the classroom, to interaction and lesson presenting. This helped my confidence with children and also allowed me to learn from experts how to handle and discuss situations as they occurred. So much in education is hypothetical until you are in your own classroom and the time I spent observing was critical to helping me be able to navigate and discuss real issues and concerns, as well as best practices with my peers and administrators. I would not be the educator and leader I am without my experiences at the CDRC." - Tiffany Whigham, Current Early Childhood Center Director at WTAMU