Child Development Laboratory School celebrates a century of innovation in early care and education on Oct. 24

For 100 years, the Child Development Laboratory School at Iowa State has been serving children and their families by providing high-quality child care. It serves and educates young children while also providing training to ISU students pursuing careers in early childhood education. The lab includes built-in observation areas for students to observe and study behaviors. And it is the oldest child development laboratory school in the United States that is still in operation. Video by Iowa State Videographer, Dave Olson

Centennial Celebration

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University’s Child Development Laboratory School is celebrating a century of innovation in early care and education.

The school has a dual mission of offering holistic developmental experience for children and providing a high-quality education for college students who want to pursue careers in education. It’s also a full research laboratory complete with built-in observation areas where faculty and students can research early childhood development and education.

“The Child Development Laboratory school continues its legacy of excellence and advocacy for children and families and is an exemplary early childhood education model for ISU students preparing to be early childhood teachers, administrators and child and family specialists,” said Laura Jolly, Dean and Dean’s Chair of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

The public is invited to a centennial celebration on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Palmer Building. Attendees can enjoy refreshments, take part in activities and learn more about the history of the Child Development Laboratory School.

“This celebration is a momentous occasion that not only honors the lab school’s past but also reinforces its ongoing commitment to excellence in education and community support,” said Child Development Laboratory School Director Elizabeth Lantz.

Celebration Details

Celebration Activities

History and contributions of the Child Development Laboratory School

The beginning

In January of 1924, the first nursery school in the nation at a land-grant institution opened at Iowa State University. The first class started with nine children for a morning program and was the beginning of the Child Care and Training Course.

“Long ago home economics people learned that theory without practice was only half education, likewise it seems sure that the child to be known must be studied first hand,” said Lulu Lancaster, the Department Head in 1925, and a leader in establishing the school.

The first nine students in 1924 pictured in front of the temporary nursery school building on Iowa State’s campus.

Responding to current events and needs

Throughout history, the Child Development Laboratory School’s mission has included both anticipating and responding to the current needs of society.

Faculty and staff have long offered resources to families and the community related to topics of the time such as learning to eat, what to do with Santa Claus, children’s quarrels, learning how to use money, immunization for small pox and diphtheria, war toys and play, strategies for supporting children with diverse needs, trauma-informed care and supporting children’s mental health.

In 1933, programs and activities were developed in response to needs from the Great Depression. A child development course was first taught on WOI-TV in 1953. The certification of teachers in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten began in 1968. In 1990, the Iowa Legislature mandated the establishment of early childhood teacher licensure (birth through age 8) and Iowa State responded by offering the program.

Children in the 1926 nursery school learning to eat.

Research in the Child Development Laboratory School

The earliest research in the Lab School began in 1926 and continues today. Like initiatives and programs developed to meet the needs of the times, research took place to create, share and apply knowledge for caregivers and families as well as inform policies centered around children and families.

Research topics of interest over the years have included:

Students observing children in the Child Development Laboratory School, date unknown

Innovation and impacts: the profession

The Child Development Laboratory School has pioneered many initiatives to advance professions centered around early childcare and education. Faculty helped start several state organizations including:

This leadership and service to the quality of the profession continues with membership in a variety of councils and boards involved with formulating policy, priorities and directions for child and family programs and teacher education.

Innovation and impacts: State of Iowa programs

The Child Development Laboratory School has helped develop many programs related to promoting concepts like high-quality early childcare and assisting children with diverse needs. Examples of the school’s work with state and federal programs include:

Innovations in teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, photo by Ryan Riley

The next century

The Child Development Laboratory School was pioneer in early childcare and education because leaders of Iowa State recognized the importance of children’s learning 100 years ago. The hands-on education that was so critical to student learning in the 1920s continues today.

As the Child Development Laboratory School celebrates the past and looks toward the future, they continue to anticipate and meet the needs of today’s families, communities and children through research, high-quality childcare and by educating the next generation of teachers.

Media contact: Brittney Rutherford, 515-460-5164, brittyl@iastate.edu