For SED students, work becomes play at preschools

Some students in the School of Education are spending their time sculpting Play-Doh and taking naps.

They also change diapers and potty train kids.

At the Early Childhood Learning Laboratory at Boston University, these students practice teaching at the SED-run preschool under the supervision of their professors. SED juniors studying early childhood education are required to spend some time at the lab, for which they receive credit. Others include work-study students and volunteers.

The students play inside and outside with the kids, who also get lessons in music and arts and crafts.

The lab accepts children 2 to 5 years old, and it is open to anyone, not just members of the Boston University community.

“They’re all at different developmental levels, so you face a challenge working with such an age range,” said SED junior Danielle Beneville.

Professors instruct the students while they teach the kids and watch the classroom from an observation room, making the lab just as much of a learning experience for the SED juniors as it is for the children.

The BU Children’s Center, the other campus childcare option in West Campus, also employs student volunteers, but has a full staff of trained professionals as well.

Children’s Center director Nikki Sibley said the 25 to 30 students who work as staff each year do not need to be education majors, but must qualify for work study. These students are trained and supervised by five professionals who have degrees in early childhood education.

Some SED students who work at both centers said the experience at each private preschool is different, with the lab more structured around academics.

“At the Children’s Center, when we read a story, we read it and sing songs,” said SED senior Heather Swentik. “At [ECLL], we read a story and conduct conversations around it by asking leading questions.”

The Children’s Center, which opened in 1978, is affiliated with the BU Family Resources Office and serves 31 children, who also range in age from 2 to 5 years old. They are all children of BU faculty, staff or students.

“We focus on all aspects of social, emotional, cognitive and physical development,” Sibley said. “We have an ongoing curriculum that’s themed. Right now we’re learning about different environments.”

While the services are open to all BU community members on a first-come, first-serve basis, they are not free. BU subsidizes the Children’s Center, but clients must pay $985 a month.

Beneville said one of the greatest rewards from working at both preschools is watching a child’s curiosity grow.

“They’re learning about the world around them, so to relive that, it’s almost like being a child again,” she said. “I really feel like I’m growing as a teacher and a person.”