At UHS, the Sugarloaf Innovative Pre-K represents the next generation of learners. In the Child Development course, students get to understand the emotional and behavioral growth of young students.

By studying how children develop, students gain insights on not only how children learn but also how they can make a positive impact in their lives.

These classes from CD1 to CD4 cover a range of topics that focus on the growth and development of children ages 3 to 5. Child development is a course for students to gain interest in pursuing a career in either education, psychology, or anything else related to that field.

The Child development class is taught by Mrs. Meri Borland and the Pre-K program is taught by Mrs. Shannon Vetter and Mrs. Kavita Surana. Each day, 16 Pre-K students come in and begin their day with a circle time where they review the schedule, sing songs, and discuss the day’s activities.

According to Avery, a preschooler here at the program, her favorite part of the day is “going outside for recess.” Outside of recess, the students learn a variety of topics like numbers, gross and fine motor skills, and problem solving.

School is a lot fun for many other preschoolers, including Ezra.

Borland has been teaching Child Development for around 25 years now. She says her favorite part of it is “seeing students get excited when the little kids understand the lesson and grasp the concept.”

She adds, “Seeing students who were not interested in children and then, once they start doing the job, they decide to choose that career” is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching.

For her, watching students grow a passion for working with children shows the importance of having hands-on experiences in education.

By the end of the course, students are equipped with useful knowledge and experience that helps them decide whether they want to pursue further studies or careers in child development.

Borland encourages her students to consider pursuing a career in child development. As for Skyyler Miller, class of 2026, she aspires to become a preschool or kindergarten teacher.

Miller says, “I decided to take the class because my mom has a daycare in our basement called Little Rascals Daycare, and I genuinely enjoy being around kids.” Miller is in her third child development class and is working towards her CDA certification. This qualifies her to work as a teacher in a preschool center or large family childcare home.

Miller hopes to gain valuable skills with children and make connections with the kids from taking this course. She and other classmates enjoy making lesson plans for the students and interacting with them.

The greatest advice given by Borland for students interested in going into the child development field is to “get as much experience with small children and multiple grades before deciding which grade to teach.”

Early childhood education is more important than ever. According to American Public University, studies show that what children learn in preschool has a big impact on their future success in school and in life. By taking the Child Development course, high school students not only get ready for careers in education but also help create a better community.

Working with young children helps high schoolers develop important skills like problem-solving, creativity, and patience, which are useful in any job. As they experience both the fun and challenges of teaching, they also learn how meaningful adult support is for a child’s growth.

This hands-on experience helps them become better educators who can positively influence the next generation, ultimately leading to a brighter future for everyone.

Vetter and Surana engage students with an interactive song, “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear!” (Kaitlin Willens)