By: Kendall Meenan

From yoga with Ms. Kaye to a field trip to the EverWonder Children’s Museum, Child Development students are always having fun. They have also cooked biscuits with Mrs. Brill, participated in a pajama party, and gone trick-or-treating throughout BHS this year. Last year they even took a trip to the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk!

But what is Child Development? For those who do not know, it is an elective class taught by Miss Lopp that is open to all grade levels. Three days a week, students in the class get to interact with, and teach preschool children. Also, some classes are involved in an elementary school program, where the ages range from kindergarten to third grade. Mallory Bruno ‘17, who is currently taking Child Development I, enjoys the class. She says, “I love the relationships that I form with the elementary school kids and the preschoolers.”

In addition to working with young children, students taking the class learn how to plan and execute a lesson. Students also create a class newsletter and observe the behavior of the children. Not only that, but the high school students learn about the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of children. These lessons help them to understand how the kids behave and react, and the motivation behind their actions. Students are able to apply this knowledge when they see the preschoolers.

All in all, this class allows high school students to interact with both preschool and elementary school students as well as helps them to learn about the development of young children.