The Human Growth and
Development Laboratory is a training/research program in the Human Environmental
Studies Department at Central Michigan University. The program was started
in the early 1960's when Dr. Evelyn Rouner began a play group for three and four
year olds in 107 Wightman Hall. The playgroup met from 8:30 - 10:30 am
Monday though Thursday for a period of two weeks with Dr. Rouner serving as the
head teacher. At the time the playgroup was started, a Laboratory School
was in operation in Rowe Hall serving children who were four years through sixth
grade.
In 1967, the playgroup was
expanded to a full semester program and Home Economic departmental support was
established. Near the time that the Rowe Hall Laboratory School closed in
1969, an observation booth was built at the Wightman Hall location. The
Human Growth and Development Laboratory was formally established in 1971,
offering Monday/Wednesday morning and Tuesday/Thursday morning sessions. A
Monday/Wednesday afternoon session was added beginning in 1980. In 1988,
the Human Growth and Development Laboratory was accredited by the National
Academy of Early Childhood Programs. This voluntary accreditation is
granted in three year cycles to those programs, which are found to be in
compliance with the highest standards of early childhood program administration
and operation.
In 1990, the HGDL moved to
its present Wightman Hall location and a Friday morning attendance day was added
to the Monday/Wednesday morning session. The Michigan School Readiness
Program (MSRP), serving children who are at risk, began in the Fall of 1991 with a
four-day afternoon session. In the Fall of 1995, the MSRP expanded to two
four-day a week sessions, and an interagency program began in collaboration with
Gratiot-Isabella RESD to formally include children with special needs into the
programs.
Two other partnerships,
one with Eight Cap, Inc. Head Start (2000) and one with Bright Starts Enrichment
Program (2001) helped the laboratory programs expand to serve children who have
extended care needs, and to help meet the increasing demand for student
practicum placements.
The Human Growth and Development Laboratory continues to grow, change and evolve as it strives to meet community and university needs. The future looks bright as the university’s education and child development programs continue to grow, as the HGDL continues to positively impact CMU’s learning environment, and as our local, state, and national leaders begin to recognize the need for high quality early childhood care and education programs.
Human Growth & Development Laboratory
Located on the Campus of Central Michigan University
163 Wightman Hall
Mt. Pleasant, MI. 48859
Phone: 989/774-3760 Fax: 989/774-1060
Ranay Gersky
Copyright © 2002 Human Growth and Development Laboratory
All rights reserved. Revised:
August 19, 2004
.