Southeast Missouri State University student publication

University School for Young Children offers hands-on training for SEMO’s early education students

Monday, February 14, 2022
Teacher Jasmine Vaughn gathers children in a circle for reading time. The 3 and 4 year olds enjoy listening to her stories.
Photo by April Styer

Blocks, crayons and lots of little feet fill classrooms inside the University School for Young Children (USYC). The school is not a typical community preschool where children learn the same way, regardless of age. Instead, children are taught through a program called “Creative Curriculum.”

The creative curriculum program isn’t a new program, but it has evolved over the past few years.

USYC’s associate director Katie Stricker said the creative curriculum is meant to be an open-ended program.

“It’s based on what the kids' interests are,” Stricker said. “We use natural materials to build. We create art and just help the kids discover the world around them.”

Stricker said the program has received positive feedback and achieved successful outcomes since they started implementing it over fourteen years ago.

About half of USYC’s students are children of SEMO’s faculty and staff and receive priority when openings become available. USYC also welcomes children from the Cape Girardeau community.

Early education junior Bridgette Berber holds one of her students. She often plays with her students on their level.
Photo by April Styer

USYC offers hands-on training for multiple early education majors and nutrition majors. Students going into health and nutrition take turns planning the facility’s meals, making sure to incorporate the children’s likes, dislikes and allergies.

For early education students, the classrooms are set up to resemble actual school classrooms they may teach in after graduation.

Early childhood education junior Bridgette Berner has worked with USYC since the Fall 2021 semester. Berner is a student assistant in one of the school’s three toddler rooms, which houses children from six weeks old to one year old.

“This is definitely a hands-on learning experience,” Berner said. “I am learning what it is going to be like when I get to have my own classroom.”

Child development junior Brooke Hale has worked at USYC for two and a half years and said she loves spending time with the children.

“I love watching these little minds grow,” Hale said. “I like how it’s all hands-on, and I just am amazed to see what their little hands create.”

To find out more about the University School for Young Children, visit their website.

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