Practicum - FRHD 3200

The practicum experience at the CCLC allows undergraduate students to put their theoretical training into practice. Most practicum students are enrolled in the Child, Youth and Family Major in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition (FRAN) at our University.  During the fall and winter semesters, students may be placed in the Toddler or Preschool programs.  They attend from 8:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. on their scheduled days, and are constantly supervised by the Primary RECEs while they are with the children.

Learning opportunities are presented systematically so that students progress from observing and modeling to assuming increasing responsibility for planning, implementing, and evaluating a safe and nurturing play environment for young children.  Students are encouraged to accept leadership, and to function more autonomously under the supervision of faculty course instructors and practicum teachers.  Throughout their learning process, students follow the philosophy of the CCLC to ensure that their approach to interacting with the children and planning the children’s learning environments is consistent with that of the RECEs and Playroom Staff.

The practicum experience at the CCLC requires that students embrace learning at several levels: the practical, through their actual provision of care and education of the children; the theoretical, through readings and seminars in the course; and the personal, through reflective journal writing.  Students are encouraged to access a wide variety of learning resources both within the CCLC and in the broader community. Our environment supports cultural diversity, and students learn to provide curriculum that is culturally diverse and sensitive to individual needs.

Students’ learning is enhanced by the provision of opportunities to:

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  • observe RECEs, Playroom Staff and other students as they interact with children, parents and other professionals,
  • share ideas with staff, parents, and peers,
  • work as part of a team to deliver a high quality program,
  • receive both verbal and written feedback,
  • develop skills in reflective practice and self-evaluation,
  • gain insights into children and their development,
  • be creative and explore their own ideas,
  • be independent and self-reliant,
  • be flexible, and manage time.