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Show The Tfumderbird Monday October 8f 1984 Page 7 Preschool is more than childs play by Kristy Sleight A story on the campus nursery school, I thought, would be childs play. But after spending a couple of afternoons at the SUSC preschool lab, I realized it would be much more. The preschool offers children a lot more than just glorified babysitting. During the two and one-hahours the children spend at the school each weekday, there are a wide variety of activities for the children to discover and learn from. These include blocks, puzzles, clay, painting and drawing, playing house, and playing in a trough filled with a different substance each day. As I worked with both the children and the teachers I realized there is serious learning going on here. According to teacher Bonnie Bishop, or Miss Bonnie as the children refer to her, the lab school is a place where the child can make his own discoveries and solve many of his own problems, whether the problems involve construction of a design with blocks, beginning to establish relationships with peers, or learning to accept restraints on his behavior. The campus preschool is not only a place where children can learn, it is a place where college students learn as well. Bishop says, I really enjoy teaching in this way because it is the best of both worlds. Not only am I teaching children, I am also teaching college students to teach children. The teaching assistants at the lab school are gained from two child development courses. In addition, Bishop encourages psychology and sociology majors to gain experience in the preschool as well. She said she thinks it is an excellent minor for them to consider. Not only is there serious learning going on at the preschool but also serious dedication from the teaching staff. According to Rea Gubler, the afternoon teacher, I find that I am always learning something from the children as well as teaching them. Bishop said that another reason she enjoys her work so much is because it is never dull or lf boring. According to her, No two days are the same. Indeed, during the two afternoons that I spent at the preschool, there was certainly never a dull moment. A typical day for the children begins with free play where the children are allowed to choose what they would like to play with. This is followed by an activity period where the children sit in a circle on the rug and learn about a particular concept. This week the children learned about fruits and vegetables. As Rea asked the children how they could tell the two apart, the children all said in unison, Fruits have seeds and vegetables dont. These kids are smart. On one activity the children tasted Jonathan, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious apples. I was surprised to hear Joey say, I think I like Jonathans the best. Not only are these kids smart, theyre discriminating. When asked what his favorite activity at the preschool was, Chad, who is five, said, I paint. Nothing more and certainly nothing less. Now here is a serious artist. The children also have art experiences. Sometimes these experiences involve food. One day this past week the kids made cucumber boats. According to Amy, It was so much fun. My hands got all gooshy but thats all right. No big deal. There is also time for outdoor play and a sharing time where the children bring something from home to show the class. Contrary to what you may think, this does not always include toys. I found this out on the day that Cole brought a tarantula in a mayonnaise jar to share with the class. Like I said, there is never a dull moment. The preschool is a great place for students to learn a lot about children and also learn about themselves in the process, the teachers said. In addition, it is a place where a child is allowed to be a child, and discover himself through experiences with materials, other children, and teachers. Its also a whole lot of fun. k. k i . four-year-o- I four-year-o- 1 - . KATHY SHAMMO I The preschool at SUSC attempts to teach the youngsters, such as these girls, the social skills they need to cope in society. Preschool students get an opportunity to play in a tub filled with some new substance each week. Student aide Patty Bice gives three young gentlemen some attention. PHOTOS |