An Innovative Early Childhood Laboratory School Contemporary Model

This manuscript discusses how one early childhood laboratory school serves as a pedagogical model for innovation within the field of the early childhood education. Laboratory schools on university campuses often hold to the same three tenets of research, education, and service, as does the larger university community. These three "arms" serve as a basis for innovation. This manuscript highlights how one early childhood laboratory school addresses the three arms in innovation through, first, providing a brief history of early childhood laboratory schools in general along with the history of the Ben and Maxine Miller Child Development Laboratory School (MCDLS) at Purdue University. Secondly, an in depth discussion of current research occurring at the MCDLS is included. Finally, educational practices of the early childhood program along with university professional preparation programs and opportunities for service within the community and state is presented. Importantly, an exploration of the benefits for teachers, children, families, university faculty, and MCDLS staff is included throughout the topics of this manuscript.