Child Development Program

Contact Information:

14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98686

Phone: (360) 546-9722
Fax: (360) 546-9076
E-Mail: wsuvcdp@vancouver.wsu.edu

Download a copy of the CDP Waiting List Application.

Philosophy:

The Child Development Program is administered by Washington State University Vancouver's Department of Human Development to provide students with opportunities to observe and directly interact with children.  In addition to meeting the needs of these students, the program serves as a model for the education and development of children in an early childhood environment.  The faculty and staff of the program seek to enhance children's development by providing support for families and their children.

In daily activities, the Child Development Program:

  • Emphasizes individual growth and development in a non-competitive atmosphere;
  • Provides equal attention to all areas of development (intellectual, emotional, physical, social);
  • Supports developmentally appropriate practice which includes creative expression, language and literature, music, dramatic play, project work, problem solving, science, computer experiences, and outdoor play.

Family Support:

The Child Development Program views children as individuals who grow and develop within the family. We are dedicated to providing recognition and support to children's families through priority consideration for children's individual traits, needs and ages, scheduling of home visits and conferences, sharing of information about parenting, acknowledging community resources, and providing opportunity for interacting with other families.

Staff:

Each of the two classrooms has two full-time early childhood specialists who plan and manage the daily program. The program will also be staffed by college students, some of whom may work part time, or are acquiring experience in early childhood settings in preparation for careers which include education and human services.

Long range planning and program development are the responsibility of the program coordinator with assistance from the early childhood faculty in the Department of Human Development. Administrative support to the program and families are facilitated by the administrative assistant and teaching staff.

Suzanne Smith, Ph.D.
smithsu@vancouver.wsu.edu
Assistant Chair, Department of Human Development
Program Director, Child Development Program
546-9714
Karen Peterson, Ph. D.
petersok@vancouver.wsu.edu
Program Coordinator,
Child Development Program
546-9713
Kathy Austin
austin@vancouver.wsu.edu
Early Childhood Program Specialist,
Child Development Program
546-9722
Lynn Dunn
wsuvcdp@vancouver.wsu.edu
Early Childhood Program Specialist, 
Child Development Program
546-9722
Cheryl Johnson
wsuvcdp@vancouver.wsu.edu
Early Childhood Program Specialist, 
Child Development Program
546-9722
Michele Silvey
wsuvcdp@vancouver.wsu.edu
Early Childhood Program Specialist, 
Child Development Program
546-9722
Steven VanDyke,Ed.M.
vandyke@vancouver.wsu.edu
Early Childhood Program Specialist, 
Child Development Program
546-9722