Education
The Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School
Ms. Onica Prall observes as a young child creates a work of art in The Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School.
The
Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School begun in 1929, is operated by
the Department of Education of Hood College. The school provides preschool education
for children who are three and four years old. The purposes of the preschool program
are:
- to give three- and four-year-old children meaningful experiences
in which to develop intellectual, social, and physical abilities;
- to provide classrooms in which college students can observe and work with young children
and their parents;
- to increase parents’ understanding of their children
through observations and conferences with the staff of the laboratory school;
and
- to provide a laboratory setting for the testing of existing teaching
methods and,
- for the creation of new methods for educating young children.
Type of Program
The preschool program is based on a developmental philosophy
of teaching and learning. We believe that children can learn in different ways
and at different rates. We strive to meet the needs of all children in the laboratory
school by using those methods best suited to individual children. We are, however,
convinced that all children’s cognitive development is enhanced by using
the natural pathways of play. Each day at the laboratory school provides a lively
mix of art, science, music, number, language, manipulative, and outdoor activities.
Daily Program
A large portion of the day is spent in free play and exploratory
learning. During this time, children are given choices including art, symbolic-play,
computer, number, science, music, reading, and small-motor activities. The program
also includes group activities, snack, and outdoor play. Weekly activities are
organized around themes that form coherent units of study; these themes are based
on the questions children often ask during the ages of three and four.
Faculty
The Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School is staffed by three faculty members
of the Hood College Department of Education. Two serve as head teachers; one serves
as the director. Hood College early childhood education students serve as teaching
interns in the laboratory school.
Application Procedures
For an application form, contact the Director at Onica Prall Child Development
Laboratory School, Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701 or
call 301-696-3416. We accept application for children when they reach the age
of 18 months. Beginning in September, 2004, children must be three by September
1, to enroll in the three-year-old class. Parents will be notified in the early
spring of their child’s admission for the upcoming academic year to the
Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School.
Tuition
Tuition is approximately equal to that of other preschool programs in the Frederick area.
Scholarship money may be available to families who otherwise would not be able
to enroll their children in the laboratory school. Please speak with the Director
about scholarship funds. Tuition is billed from and payable to the Hood College
Financial Services Office.
Calendar
The Laboratory School follows the Hood College academic year calendar. School opens in mid-September and closes
in May. Children attend the Laboratory School from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday
through Thursday.
Parent Involvement
In our program, teachers
and parents work together toward understanding the needs of the child. Parents
are encouraged to observe at any time throughout the school year. Parent-teacher
conferences are scheduled in December and May so that parents and teachers may
share their observations of a child’s growth and development.
Further Information
Interested parents are invited to make an appointment to observe
the program. For appointments or additional information, please call the Lab School
at (301) 696-3416.
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