USAO to accept applications for preschool students

The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma’s celebrated Child Development Center will begin accepting applications for preschool-aged students on March 1.

The Child Development Center gives early childhood education majors the opportunity to teach prior to embarking on their professional careers. The center’s curriculum focuses on language development, the enhancement of self-concept, sensory acuity, motor development, concept formation and living skills. The center provides an enriched environment where young children can explore, discover, experiment and learn to make good choices.

“Due to their insatiable curiosity, the established, developmentally-appropriate environment provides these children the ability to explore, discover and experiment while also increasing their independence and confidence,” said Shaylee Chester, instructor in early childhood education and director of the Child Development Center.

The Child Development Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. during the fall and spring trimesters. There is a $600 fee per child, per trimester, and enrollment is limited to 16 children. Participants must be three years of age by Sept. 1 to attend the three-year-old program and at least four years old by the same date to attend the pre-kindergarten program.

“This program has proven beneficial in multiple developmental domains among the three- and four-year-old children attending,” said Dr. Donna Miles, vice president for academic affairs. “By allowing education students to gain hands-on experience while pursuing their degree, this program produces confident and well-prepared future teachers for Oklahoma.”

Application forms can be found online at usao.edu/child-development, in Gary Hall 101A or the Gary Hall Education Office on the northeast side of the USAO campus. All forms must be hand-delivered to the Education Office. No digital copies will be accepted. No copies will be accepted prior to March 1. Information regarding application status will be sent April 2022.

For more information, contact Chester at (405) 574-1230 or schester@usao.edu.