The Children's School

The Children's School includes activities such as art, music, dramatic play, block building, science, language and literacy experiences, and outdoor play. Children at The Children's School also take part in climbing, swinging, gardening, using riding toys, and playing in water and sand. The Children's School is a program of Sonoma State University Associated Students and operates as the Child Development Laboratory on the Sonoma State University campus.

• Ages: 1–5 years old
• Schedule: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 7:30 am–5:30 pm; Thurs 7:30 am–3:45 pm

The Children's School offers an NAEYC accredited developmental program for ages one through five years that is steeped in active sensory experiences and grounded in environmental ethics. The program’s goal is to utilize the richness of the campus community while providing optimum services to families. At The Children's School, children are in a nurturing, familial environment where their emotional, social, cognitive, and physical needs are met through a planned and emergent curriculum implemented by trained teachers who promote respect, responsibility, resourcefulness, and resiliency. Fostering a sense of trust and positive self-esteem and recognizing problem-solving opportunities through play are core components of The Children's School curriculum.

The Children's School has been a part of Sonoma State University as an idea in 1972, with a beginning in trailers until 1978, and continuing to this time in its current building. The model school is staffed with Master Teachers who train a large Sonoma State University student staff in best practices and theory of early education. The leadership team includes Melissa Nelson as Program Director; Bethany Lybeck Chapman as Master Teacher; Shannon Dublin, Kimberly Alvarado Reyes, Wendy Contreras, and Alexis Gonzalez as Early Childhood Teachers; and Tarik Kanaana as Health and Nutrition Coordinator.

The Children's School operates as the Child Development Laboratory on campus and welcomes students from many disciplines to observe and learn from and about children. The population of students, parents, staff, and faculty represents diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Last updated March 28, 2026.