Early childhood education holds enrichment program ‘Summertime in Alabama’
For more than 25 years, the summer enrichment program has taught early childhood education students valuable teaching skills and served as an outlet for children from preschool to age 8, according to Sean Durham, program director and coordinator for early childhood education in the College of Education. Starting June 8, as many as 45 children will come to a classroom in Haley Center that has been transformed by a cohort of 20 Auburn students. Durham said the students have waxed the floors, removed the tables and chairs to set up art and reading areas, which lasts two semesters. The summer program began as a way for students to complete their practicum in the summer since public schools are not open. This year’s theme, “Summertime in Alabama,” gives students the opportunity to teach children about different activities in Auburn such as going to Chewacla and other parks, according to Hannah Deaver, junior in early childhood education with a Spanish minor. Deaver will be teaching the 5-7 age group and said she will let her children decide a project they want to work on centered on their interests. “I was interested in early childhood education from a really young age, I have really always wanted to be a teacher,” Deaver said.
