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Photo of the Hume House Child Development & Student Research Center building on the Rollins campus.

Hume House Child Development & Student Research Center

As a laboratory of the Department of Psychology at Rollins College, the Hume House Child Development & Student Research Center creates opportunities for research and learning with undergraduate students, children of all abilities and faculty of the College.

  • Children playing together on an alphabet rug.

    Engaging Activities

    Children participate in activities that stimulate learning, foster creativity and encourage understanding of concepts.

  • Child painting at an easel

    Reggio Emilia Philosophy

    Our Reggio approach to curriculum leads to emergent long-term projects and in-depth exploration.

  • A child and a teacher laugh together.

    Close Interactions with Teachers and Students

    Children participate in healthy activities with valuable interactions with teachers.

  • Students wearing hard hats sitting outside.

    Mission

    The CDC is a laboratory preschool that (1) educates Rollins students about child development theory and practice through hands-on research; (2) provides the highest quality diverse and inclusive preschool for families in the Rollins and local communities; and (3) promotes community understanding of current research and best practices in early child development.

  • Student smiling at the camera with a teacher

    History

    The Child Development & Student Research Center was established in 1975 as a laboratory preschool for undergraduates in the Psychology Department at Rollins College. We serve children between the ages of two and five years. Children with special needs are fully included in all activities and learning is individualized for optimum growth.

  • Students playing at a light table with an undergrad student

    Hands-On Learning

    The Child Development & Student Research Center is a laboratory of the Department of Psychology and is one of several active, hands-on laboratories directed by the Department.

Early Childhood Program

Curriculum Foundations

Our early childhood curriculum is rooted in developmentally appropriate practice for all children, scaffolded learning opportunities, and research-based assessment tools.

  • Children learn by active play involvement in activities and small group targeted learning experiences
  • Consistent routines and classroom structure utilizing Positive Behavior Support strategies strengthen social and emotional learning and development
  • Assessment is regularly scheduled, authentic and documentary
  • Children with specific needs are included in all activities and offered support that centers on their strengths

Early Childhood Lab Foundations

Our laboratory preschool provides undergraduate students of Rollins College with opportunities for learning about early child development. To support learning for children and undergraduates, we utilize:

  • Project and play based emergent curriculum
  • Scaffolded and individualized learning opportunities with small groups
  • Research-based assessment/screening tools

Reggio Emilia approach guides long term projects

Projects emerge from teacher-developed ideas and child-initiated emergent activities.

Observation and Screening Tools

Observation and Screening Instruments are utilized to assess children’s developmental progress and ensure teaching practices are implemented that respond to children’s individual growth patterns and learning styles.

COR Observational Assessment Tool

The Child Observation Record (COR) is a research-supported observation-based assessment tool that includes all areas of development. Children are observed by undergraduate students and teachers. Developmental areas include: Approaches to learning, social and emotional relations, creative representation, movement and music, language and literacy, mathematics and science knowledge. Observations are ongoing throughout the school year and conclude with a summary at the end of the school year.

Ages and Stages Questionnaire

Hume House uses The Ages and Stages Questionnaire for screening children between the ages of two to five. The ASQ screens children for developmental delays in gross motor, fine motor, personal social, problem-solving and communication areas of development. We request parents complete an ASQ before enrollment. We provide the appropriate age screening tool and review results with parents before enrollment. Teachers will re-screen children during the school year. Please see below for an ASQ sample screening.

ASQ Sample Screening ASQ Sample Screening

Literacy/Math Assessment

Learning Without Tears, for children in the Pre-Kindergarten year.

Developmental Checklist

Completed once each year to assess milestone achievement by age.

Faculty and Staff

Email the director.

Hume House

Telephone:407.646.2515

  • Self portrait of Alice Davidson

    Alice Davidson, PhD

    Professor of Psychology, Executive Director of the Child Development & Student Research Center

    Research interests: personal narratives to understand children’s peer relations and social-emotional well-being

  • Diane Terorde Doyle portrait

    Diane Terorde Doyle, MA

    Director of the Child Development & Student Research Center

  • Lauren Duhon portrait

    Lauren Duhon, BA

    Lead Teacher, Pre-K Teacher

  • Felysha Lenis portrait

    Felysha Lenis, BS

    Lead Teacher, Hume House Social Media Manager

  • Portrait of Nayeli Brown

    Nayeli Brown, BA

    Lead Teacher

  • Ruth James portrait

    Ruth James, BEd

    Assistant Teacher, Pre-K Teacher

  • Angele Triassi O'Callahan portrait

    Angele Triassi O'Callahan, BA

    Assistant Teacher

  • Jerica Stone portrait

    Jerica Stone, AS

    Assistant Teacher

  • Ashley Wood portrait

    Ashley Wood, BA

    Floater, Afternoon Coordinator

  • Portrait of Julie Lavra Pease

    Julie Lavra Pease, MEd

    Inclusion Coordinator

  • Laurie Pritchard Educare image with child

    Laurie Pritchard, MS

    Evening EduCare Director