Outside the Classroom Child development majors visit local day care centers to work with children The Department of Family Consumer Sciences emphasized learning child development and child life through experiences outside of the classroom, such as participating in the daily routines of campuses in Searcy, such as the White County Medical Center, daycares and nursing homes. FCS students experienced "life-span" and the different processes that people go through throughout their lives by spending 12 hours doing practical work in the Searcy community. This helped many students decide their field of study and what they hoped to do with their career once they graduated. Hannah Schliffka, a junior family consumer science education major, sa(d this opportunity enhanced her academic experience. "I think it's easy to sit and learn about how a 6-monthold will act, but it's different to actually go and see that process and experience that," Schliffka said. "It gives me the opportunity to see everything pull together of how things work during a life span." Going to various campuses revealed the passion and gifts of many FCS students, child development and child life majors. Many child life majors found their passion for their studies in the medical field and hoped to pursue a child life career in pediatrics. "I worked at the Center for Pediatric Health at Searcy, and through this experience I found my passion for helping with medical-related stress of child patients and parents of children patients," senior child life major Bethany Reeves said. The practice that Reeves worked with did not have a child life specialist position. Reeves had to quickly adjust to a role she had never taken on, which helped her recognize what a rewarding career this could be. J~.mior Emilee Mills, a child development major, said her observances helped her find her passion for child development. Mills worked closely with several day cares in the Searcy area, which revealed her ability to run these classrooms and programs as a career. "I've learned everything I need to know...and through this experience I've found my passion to work with kids for the rest of my life," Mills said. These experiences were irreplaceable to the students because they stretched their skills and increasing their knowledge, better preparing them to nurture whatever age of people they chose to work with. Jessica Head Reading at a local child development center Oct. 29, senior Mary McNabb gets hands-on learning as a part of the Guidance in Early Childhood class. Students provided educational activities to promote social and emotional health. Courtesy of Crystal Whittington est1993 Department of Kinesiology 3 majors I 23 faculty I 37 courses est.1995 Department of Family Consumer Sciences 8 majors I 6 faculty I 51 courses est.2009 Department of Exercise & Sport Sciences 2 majors I 8 faculty I 22 courses Kinesiology & Family Consumer Science 1105
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