by Dalia Guerra
“The Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children (MCCYC) is the laboratory in which students observe and gain practical experience in working with young children and their parents. It is located on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus and was established in 1941. It meets the needs of 54 children aged three months through five years. Two fenced playgrounds provide a large assortment of play structures and equipment, shade and sun areas, and open play space. Learning centers are provided in each room to stimulate and encourage exploration and discovery. The philosophy that young children learn through creative play is evident in planned activities that enhance the children's emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development”.(http://www.tamuk.edu/cyc/index.html)
“Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children Philosophy is that it provides a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of their families. The program is designed to be developmentally appropriate. The concept, developmental appropriateness, includes both age and individual appropriateness. Teachers use knowledge about age appropriateness to identify the range of behaviors, activities, and materials for a specific age group. This knowledge is used in conjunction with the understanding about individual children's growth patterns, strengths, interests, and experiences (individual appropriateness) to design the most appropriate learning environment. Children's play is essential for growth. Play serves important functions in cognitive development, as well as in children's physical, emotional, and social development. Child-initiated, child-directed, teacher-supported play is an essential part of the MCCYC program”. (http://www.tamuk.edu/cyc/index.html)
I have done observations required for some of my courses and have seen the interaction between teachers and children and the children with each other. All the rooms are filled with bright colors, educational and age appropriate tools and activities that help them self explore and learn. This is an amazing center for young children. My experience with the center is personal because my two children attended CYC. My daughter attended until she was 5 and my son is currently attending. My son is 4 years old and came home the other day counting by 2’s and 3’s. It is amazing to me the things he and my daughter have learned. You want to get on the list as soon as possible because the typical waiting period is two years! Don’t hesitate to do so the moment you know you are pregnant.