Children’s toys building noise. Toddlers crying tears of sadness. Laughter heard from the halls. Nervous student teachers but also excitement.

Spring has officially arrived at WEGO with the launch of the Wildcat Preschool’s spring session earlier this month. The 12-week early education program, run by advanced child development students, provides an opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on teaching experience while preparing young children for kindergarten.

Brittney Bauer, a child development teacher at WEGO, has an extensive background in early childhood education. She worked in daycare for 10 years before transitioning to teaching at the high school level.

“I’ve taught birth through college, and I just enjoy the kids. They make you laugh, and laughter is the best medicine to save a bad day,” Bauer said.

The preschool program, which runs from 8 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. each day, is designed to help children between the ages of two and a half and five develop the skills they need for kindergarten.

“The children will learn from the preschool program how to interact with other friends,” Bauer said. “Typically, those little preschoolers will hang out with the high school students, but not necessarily with each other. So our goal is for them to start socializing with kids their own age.”

Beyond kindergarten readiness, the preschool also emphasizes different domains of development. Student teachers plan activities that target fine and gross motor skills, language development, and social interaction.

“Instead of doing a boring worksheet that’s appropriate for a two- to five-year-old, we engage in hands-on activities,” Bauer said.

For example, activities might include science experiments, running and jumping exercises, or sensory table activities that allow children to explore different textures, such as wet and dry sand.

The program follows a structured rotation system. The first rotation introduces kindergarten-based lessons like math, social skills, classifying objects, and early reading. The second rotation focuses on global cultures, where children learn about different countries through food, flags, and traditional games.

“They might try some food from that country, we might talk about the flag, or play a game related to that country,” Bauer said.

The third rotation allows student teachers to design a fun theme that preschoolers will enjoy, such as an “Under the Sea” adventure.

“As for my favorite rotation, that would be the last rotation since we just get to have fun with the kids and see how much they’ve grown throughout the preschool session,” student teacher Guadalupe Perez said.

With warmer weather in April and May, preschool student teachers may plan outdoor gross motor activities or lessons about camping and nature.

“I really have worked with infants all the way through college age, and I teach and train my students to make sure everything is developmentally appropriate for that age group,” Bauer said.

Because the preschool includes mixed-age students, activities are adjusted to accommodate different developmental levels. Advanced students often work with older children on writing their names and numbers, while younger children focus on recognizing shapes and colors. Some children will be experiencing preschool for the first time, which can involve separation anxiety.

“Wildcat Preschool does a very good job of preparing kids for kindergarten,” advanced student teacher Rowen Canabal Ferris said.

Parents can choose to observe the class or leave their children in the care of student teachers.

In addition to benefiting preschoolers, the program provides valuable experience for high school students, who can earn college credit for taking child development. For students considering careers in daycare, preschool education, or even camp counseling, this hands-on experience is invaluable.

“I think Wildcat Preschool does a very good job of preparing kids for kindergarten,” Canabal Ferris said.

As the program continues through the spring, student teachers look forward to seeing the children learn and form friendships.

“Our goal is for them to start socializing with kids their own age,” Bauer said.