The Westminster College Preschool Lab has opportunities available each semester for college students to work with young children. Preschool sessions run every weekday from 8:45 to 11:40 am. We have two classes of children. Our three-year-old class is on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the four-year-old class, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. College student involvement is a very important part of our preschool because it enriches our program and also provides an excellent opportunity for college students to gain valuable experience.

Students are required to observe one preschool session prior to in-class participation, to attend a training session, and keep a journal of their experiences. A follow-up meeting takes place at the end of the semester for each student and the head teacher. Participants are required to have a copy of a current ACT 34 criminal clearance record.

Student Aides:
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Every semester we recruit two college students to become part of our teaching team. The student aides work either in the T/Th or M/W/F class and must be available on those days from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. These are paid positions. Student aides are an important part of our preschool teaching team. They work in the classroom with the teachers, as well as prepare curricular materials. Participation in a training session, observation, and in-service meeting is required of these students. Please contact Dr. Medvin, Preschool Director (ext. 7360), during the pre-registration period prior to the semester in which you would like to work.

Volunteer Teaching Opportunities:
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• Music - provided on Monday and/or Tuesday from 11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Age appropriate songs, chants and games are taught during this time. Students are invited to use any of the music books, songs, tapes and instruments we have at the preschool.
• Creative Movement - Children develop large motor skills during these sessions at Old '77 gym. Student volunteers (either one or a team of two) are asked to plan and execute a creative movement class every Wednesday from 11:00 - 11:40 a.m. (fall semester- October to December; spring semester January through March). Equipment may be used from Old '77 gym, and we provide music and theme ideas.
• Foreign Language - Every semester a volunteer in each class is invited to introduce children to foreign languages. Color words, numbers, names and songs are familiar and fun beginnings to a new language. Teaching through songs, games and stories initiate interest in new words. Students may volunteer one or two times a week.

• Computer - Computer volunteers are needed Monday through Friday. To promote socialization at the computer, one student is required per day to facilitate turn taking, problem-solving and group dynamics. A computer training session is provided to help students become familiar with the classroom computer, our software and our philosophy.
• Observation - Students learn to observe and document children's behaviors and dialogue by in-class or observation room sites. When you volunteer in any area of the preschool, you may be asked to observe. Observational guidelines and examples or written documentation are used as training material.
• Special Needs One volunteer each semester may work one-on-one with a child(ren) who have specific needs (ie. facilitating social play, help with math skills, fine motor development, color identification, or increasing attention span). This opportunity may vary from semester to semester as needed.
• Woodworking - One day a week, in each class, a volunteer may facilitate the wood working table. Hammering with nails, sanding, using a hand drill, sawing and wearing safety glasses may be the simple tasks involved in this area.

Internships are available at the reschool Lab for academic credit. Opportunities are flexible and may depend on on-going projects. For example, a senior elementary education student assisted with an e-mail project to a preschool in England.

The student intern in is responsible for interviewing at the preschool during the prior semester, completing an application, and gaining approval from his or her advisor for academic credit.  Please contact Dr. Medvin, Preschool Director (ext. 7360), during the pre-registration period prior to the semester or time period in which you would like to work. For information on college interns, please contact Janet Waugaman (ext. 6338) at the Career Center

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