In learning about child development, Dr. Hoffman’s 12th grade psychology class visited the ELC at SAR Academy to conduct interviews with kindergarten students. Using a structured interview protocol with props such as Play Doh, beakers of water and trick boxes, the psychology students were able to observe the kindergarteners’ grasp of the cognitive developmental milestones of conservation and theory of mind. Both the kindergarteners and the seniors enjoyed the interactions.

Lily R. said she learned more about how differently the kids’ minds work. “It was fun to realize that they think differently and get distracted more easily.”

“I loved the environment as well as the energy of all the kids,” said Jack S.

Afterward, the psychology students aggregated the interview data and were able to see a clear correlation between age and mastery of these developmental milestones.