Collaborating for Campus Children’s Center Week
As we prepare to recognize Campus Children’s Center Week, we are excited to share more about how our centers serve as model demonstration sites where high-quality early childhood education, university teaching, and applied research meet in powerful ways. As a model school we serve as a laboratory for innovation and research in early childhood education for our community and beyond.
Every day, our classrooms serve a dual purpose. First, and most importantly, they are safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environments where children are encouraged to explore, play, and grow. At the same time, they are also dynamic environments for learning and discovery. Teachers use evidence-based practices and showcase emergent curriculum. For University students, our centers offer something they can’t get from a textbook alone—real-life experiences working with young children. By observing child development, practicing teaching strategies, and completing practicum and internship placements, these students gain the skills and confidence to become the next generation of educators, health professionals, and researchers. In turn, your children benefit from classrooms filled with energy, curiosity, and the joy of learning together.
BGCC Director
A predental student talks with children about caring for their teeth.
Dr. Meaghan Devlin sharing research on Individual Positive Behavioral Supports in Early Childhood.
Our role as a demonstration site also extends into research. The Children’s Centers welcome collaborative projects that allow faculty and graduate students to explore questions that matter deeply—questions about how children learn best, how families and schools can work together, how health impacts development, and much more. Recent research collaborations included TexCS which aims to introduce young children to the wonders of computer science, the WRITE study designed to develop new assessments and practices to support early literacy development, and the Sesame Street Building a Connected Community project. With the launch of our new research application process, these partnerships have become even easier to create. That means the discoveries made in our classrooms not only benefit your children but also help shape the future of early childhood education.
Serving as a model demonstration school also means that we get to share what we learn with others. Visitors often come to our centers to see what high-quality early learning looks like in action. High school students on an early childhood or education track both locally and from Houston have toured our programs. Administration met with teachers and principals from a local ISD to share the strengths of our prekindergarten programs. The kickoff event for the Brazos Valley AEYC conference was held on our Nature Explore certified playground. Prekindergarten teachers supported the development of the Junior Master Gardeners Learn Grow Eat and Go Early Childhood curriculum by piloting several of the activities. Whether it’s modeling effective teaching strategies, showcasing how family partnerships strengthen children’s experiences, or highlighting how play supports growth, we are proud to serve as an example for both our university and the wider community.
In this way, the Children’s Centers truly act as a bridge between theory and practice. We prepare tomorrow’s leaders, support meaningful research, and provide a setting where every child can thrive today. Most importantly, we never lose sight of our mission: to provide continuity of care and an enriching environment where children feel safe, loved, and inspired to grow.
We are proud of the role we play in strengthening the Texas A&M community—supporting Aggie families, preparing future leaders, and contributing to the field of early childhood education. And we are especially proud to walk alongside you, our families, in this important work.