Not far from the lush banks of Putah Creek sits a charming cluster of yellow cottages on the edge of campus that serves as a vibrant hub for studying early childhood development. This setting, once dedicated to the practical art of home economics, has evolved into the Early Childhood Lab School (ECLS), a place where the science of growth meets the heart of care. 

The ECLS is operated by the Center for Child and Family Studies, which is housed within the Department of Human Ecology. This year marks its 60th anniversary. To celebrate the school’s rich history, the community is invited to an open house during the university’s annual Picnic Day on April 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can take self-guided tours and hang out on the sun-filled grounds.

Each academic year, about 80 children enroll in the center's infant, toddler and early preschool programs, but the school provides much more than childcare. It’s where dozens of UC Davis students and researchers observe and learn about children's development in real-time. Students get hands-on experience working directly with kids.

“Students take the lessons they’ve acquired and the learning that they’ve done from a lecture hall and put it into context,” said Kelly Twibell Sanchez, the school’s director.

All students majoring in human development (HDE) are required to take a practicum course before graduating. One practicum, HDE 140L: Practicum in Early Childhood, consists of lectures and seven hours of weekly field work with young children at the lab school. Twibell Sanchez completed the practicum course herself when she was a student. She has since held several roles within the school, from intern to lead teacher in the infant/toddler classroom and can personally attest to the program’s impact. 

“It really is foundational to everything they’ll do in the future,” she said. “I’ve been in every classroom, I’ve held every position, and that history not only continues to inspire me, but it reminds me of who has come before, and how we honor those legacies in this space.”

Serving up nutrition 

The school’s innovative spirit is also showcased through its recent addition of dietitian interns. Twibell Sanchez said the idea to provide lunch to kids in the full-day program was born to help lift a burden off the campus’ student/parent scholars in particular. The paid internship aims to attract students majoring in nutrition or clinical nutrition. 

Wendy Liang and Saba Shahcheraghi, seniors majoring in clinical nutrition, have been in the intern role since fall quarter. They create a weekly menu, put together a shopping list and then prepare and serve the meals at the facility.

“They’re thinking of not only what young children need nutritionally, but what visually is going to draw them in,” Twibell Sanchez said. “They have been a wonderful asset.” 

Lunches are typically composed of seasonal foods that are simple and create a balanced meal. Liang said they include one protein source, whole grains, vegetables and fruits on each plate.

Shahcheraghi wanted to cook a dish inspired by her Persian background, so she prepared a meat kebab with colorful sides: broccoli and strawberries. 

“The colors looked very nice on the plate and the kids really liked it,” Shahcheraghi said. “I was so glad.”

For Liang, getting this hands-on experience has helped her better understand how kids eat. She realizes that her efforts underscore the importance of introducing diverse foods to kids which can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits.

“This is something that I’m passionate about, helping kids find and explore varieties of food at a young age so when they get older, they’re not as picky and they have previous experiences with food that will hopefully, in the long run, help them have a healthy, well-balanced diet,” Liang said.

Educational opportunities

Beyond nutrition, the school also introduced a new family coordinator position, offering additional education and support to parents and children. Sierra Armién Funk, who fills this role, helps families navigate parenting challenges and child development with one-on-one consultations. 

“My niche is facilitating deep reflective conversations among parents about parenting challenges, family dynamics and child development,” Armién Funk said.

She also facilitates various play group sessions, including a new parent-baby playtime being offered this spring. Students in the practicum course work alongside her having casual conversations with parents and practicing strategies for interacting with young children as they play. Armién Funk said it’s been a great way for students to connect with children and their parents. 

“The practicum students fall in love with the children in their care group; they really form a bond,” she said. “And the parents sense that. It’s a wonderful thing to know that your child is loved wherever they are.”

The school is also a leader in professional development, partnering with the Yolo County Office of Education to offer training for transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers and administrators. Twibell Sanchez has led workshops that focus on educational techniques for young learners.

“We find elementary teachers who have moved into those spaces benefit from receiving in-depth training on child development and what it means to not only teach, but to care and nurture four-and-five-year-olds in their spaces,” Twibell Sanchez said.

Future growth

Play is at the heart of the learning experience at the school. Children have spaces to explore, create and learn in fun and interactive ways, from imaginative games to outdoor activities. Looking ahead, Twibell Sanchez hopes to offer more services, perhaps evening and summer programs, to better serve the needs of student-parents and the wider campus and Davis communities. She also envisions expanding one day to accommodate more children and students in the future.

“As they say, if you build it, we can open the doors for more to come,” Twibell Sanchez said.