Child Development Laboratories

The Child Development Laboratories (CDL), in partnership with and under the direction of the Southern Region Early Childhood Programs (SRECP), offers pre-service teaching opportunities for Early Childhood students in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. CDL and SRECP have a long history of providing high-quality programming for young children and families in the Carbondale community region.

CDL is a highly valued facility on the campus of Southern Illinois University. It has served as a research and training facility on the campus of Southern Illinois University for over 50 years. Students in the School of Education, (Early Childhood and Child and Family Service majors) enroll in two courses that offer practical training experiences at CDL. The practicum experience for students enrolled in C&I 318 is in the Prekindergarten classroom and the practicum experience for students enrolled in C&I 405 is in the infant and toddler classrooms. C&I 395 and C&I 495 students may be selected to experience their internship training at CDL. Student employment opportunities with clerical and teaching positions are also offered to SIU students at CDL.

CDL serves as an observation and research site for University faculty and students. These individuals represent many colleges, schools, and programs on the SIUC campus that access the facility to enhance their knowledge of child development and early childhood education.

CDL offers a classroom for infants between the ages of 6 weeks to approximately 18 months. The toddler classroom provides programming for children between the ages of 18 months and 36 months. The Prekindergarten classroom serves children 3-5 years of age. All classrooms require five-day enrollment. Morning, afternoon, or full day sessions are determined by the CDL staff and in partnership with families.

Highly-qualified teaching staff provide a research approved curriculum that offers group and individual learning opportunities for all children. The reggio-inspired classrooms are located in Quigley Hall and offer children a variety of emergent, nature-based curricular experiences, where children are seen as capable, competent, and creative.

CDL follows the Department of Children and Families Services Licensing Regulations, the Illinois State Board of Education Early Childhood Block Grant Compliance Guidelines, the Illinois Early Learning Development and Standards, the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age Three, and the USDA regulations for high-quality food service.