The Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory (PPFCFL) is sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) in the School of Human Ecology. The PPFCFL is an educational, research, and service facility for university students, faculty and the community at large. It provides a setting in which university students may observe, participate, and study children under the supervision of highly trained and experienced teachers. The PPFCFL serves as a facility for research in HDFS and related fields. It is a model program of high quality, early education for children ages 18 months through 6 years that fosters development across the five basic developmental domains: social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical. The program is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood programs (NAEYC) and licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS).The PPFCFL helps parents, students, researchers, and the public gain a greater understanding of how children develop and learn.

The PPFCFL has four toddler classes, four preschool classes and one kindergarten class. The Master Teacher of each class is on the faculty of the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) and holds a graduate degree in child development, early childhood education or a related field. Graduate students assist the Master Teachers in the classrooms. Approximately 600 undergraduate students per calendar year, from a variety of HDFS courses, use the PPFCFL as a laboratory to gain observational skills and to learn techniques for interacting with young children. Under the supervision of the Master Teachers, these students observe children from observation booths, interact with the children on a weekly basis, or participate in daily practicum experiences in the classroom.

The program of the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory is developmentally-based and designed to meet the individual growth needs of each child. Each teacher works cooperatively with families, students, and other faculty members to determine the child’s level of development, needs, and interests. The program supports children’s growth and development so that each child’s self-esteem is strengthened. Through a play-based, emergent curriculum, the program helps children feel good about themselves, embrace the process of learning, and become confident in their interactions with peers and adults.

The mission of the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory is:

• To provide a setting in which university students may observe, participate, and study children under the supervision of highly trained and experienced teachers
• To provide a facility for research in human development and family relationships at The University of Texas at Austin
• To serve as a model program of high quality care of young children to the community
• To provide young children with an enriching and developmentally appropriate early learning opportunity
• To promote among parents a greater understanding of their child’s growth and development

For more information about the PPFCFL, please visit the program’s website at: http://labschool.he.utexas.edu/