Laboratory schools

School reform is changing and expanding the notion of early childhood. State content learning standards now exist for preschool-age children. Thus, teachers must be prepared to teach at the preschool level, and teacher training programs must adapt to prepare quality preschool teachers. Field experiences are key components of teacher training programs, so it is important that they include well-organized experiences at the preschool level. Laboratory preschools offer the elements of proximity to universities and the opportunity to connect theory to practice. Lab preschools provide models of best practice, an important component of education that also serves societal interests. Exemplary models for preschool teacher training can inform educational practice and improve the field of teacher education. The purpose of this study is to show the effectiveness of preschool teacher training in a laboratory preschool setting. This study emphasizes the need for highly qualified teachers for the youngest learners. It shows that hands-on experiences and observation, key components of early childhood education, are readily accessible in a lab preschool setting. Theory to practice is actualized in the lab preschool setting if used for teaching training. This study will address what the use of lab preschools for the training of teachers can do for the early childhood field. This description of laboratory preschools with their three-fold mission will show ways to improve field experience offerings for early childhood teacher training.