Conducting Research

The preschool collaborates with faculty, schools, and community groups to advocate for improved resources for young children and their families. Research activities initiated by the UNLV/CSUN Preschool or by faculty and students in related fields of study are intended to promote knowledge of developmental issues and practices relevant to child "educare," early learning and the practical application of this knowledge.

The outcomes of these studies have been presented at numerous national conferences such as:

  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR)
  • Association for Severely Handicapped (TASH)
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC/DEC)
  • National Coalition for Campus Children's Centers (NCCCC)
  • Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
  • American Evaluation Association (AEA)
Research Proposals Completed Studies Past Research Activities at the LBECEC

Practicum Student Guide

  • After you have checked in and received your practicum student badge, please silence your cell phone immediately.
  • Upon entering the classroom, ask staff where you may store any personal items (such as backpacks and purses) for the safety of the children.
  • Find a place to sit (chair/floor) and begin interacting with children. Follow the staff’s lead regarding interacting, assisting children, and encouraging their independence. Do not participate in toileting/diapering of children without the approval of the head teacher.
  • When their availability permits, meet with the head teacher to discuss and receive approval for your proposed developmentally appropriate daily activity with children.
  • Present your activity with enthusiasm. Interact with either an individual or groups of children without being directive or intrusive. Ask open-ended questions to facilitate language. For example, “what would happen if …?”
  • Give positive reinforcement to children and ignore negative attention-seeking behaviors. Allow children to work out their own differences unless they are being unsafe with one another. Ask for assistance from staff, as needed.
  • During large group time, participate by following the head teacher’s lead. Sing, dance, and redirect behaviors as modeled for you. In addition, assist preschool staff with snacks, lunches, distributing materials, and transition activities.
  • Upon leaving, make certain you take all of your personal items with you. Exit through the Lending Library so that you may check out and return your practicum student badge.
  • Practicum students are expected to exercise professional confidentiality while discussing observations made in the preschool. Names of children may not be used during classroom discussion or in written activities. Concerns that may warrant intervention regarding the behavior of a child, family member, or staff member of the preschool should be discussed with the head teacher or director.

Supporting UNLV Faculty and their Students

As one of its primary goals, the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center (LBECEC) supports research conducted by UNLV faculty and their students. The LBECEC Research Advisory Council was established with the specific purpose to facilitate the achievement of that goal. It meets regularly to identify obstacles to faculty research use of the facility and to develop strategies to eliminate those obstacles. To that end, it has established a procedure for the submission of requests for access to children and/or their parents to serve as participants in university-approved research, which may include the use of equipment and space in the facility.

Proposals will be reviewed by the council to ensure that the procedures described therein have been reviewed and fully approved by the UNLV Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects. Additionally, the council will determine if the procedures are reasonable in terms of the time required of children, their parents, and the staff. Finally, attention will be given to the number of research projects underway at any given time to ensure that the total research effort does not exceed the capacities of the Center or its staff.

Space & Equipment

The LBECEC, which is located on the UNLV campus, houses the UNLV/CSUN Preschool. The preschool, one of the first programs in Southern Nevada to achieve accreditation from the NAEYC serves over 200 children with and without disabilities six weeks through five years of age and their families. The center is a resource to students majoring in education, psychology, physical therapy, nursing, biology, physical education, music, and food and beverage management. The preschool is one of the largest employers of student workers on campus, with approximately 130 students working as teaching assistants. In addition to the teaching assistants, the preschool has 10 general education teachers and three early childhood special education teachers assigned to the site full-time. The early childhood special education teachers and related service personnel assigned to the program are based on an inter-agency agreement with the Clark County School District (CCSD) Early Childhood Special Education.

Research Technology

The Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center (LBECEC) has two specifically designed research classrooms equipped with computer stations, one-way mirrors, cameras, and microphones. Cameras and microphones in one classroom and one research room, enables lessons to be filmed and studied later by faculty and their students. A graduate assistant assigned to center is available to assist students and faculty with the RAVO system.