10/16/2026
In 1926, Madison parents and Home Economics scholars came together with a shared belief: young children need opportunities to build relationships with one another.
What began in a borrowed kindergarten room at Luther Memorial Church soon moved to University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Practice Cottage in 1927, where eight to ten children spent their mornings playing, learning, and exploring. Behind room dividers and cloth screens, university students observed their activities, studying topics ranging from play and creativity to child development and psychology.
A century later, this small program has grown into the Child Development Lab (CDL), serving more than 70 children each year while providing research and learning opportunities for hundreds of university students. Its founding commitment to children's healthy development continues to guide the CDL’s work in education, research, and community engagement.
Explore this remarkable history in The Science of Human Thriving: Celebrating 100 Years of the Child Development Lab, on view at the Ruth Davis Design Gallery in Nancy Nicholas Hall through February 28, 2027.
Learn more about the CDL’s century-long history and its impact on children, families, and the UW–Madison community in this article from UW-Madison School of Human Ecology: https://humanecology.wisc.edu/the-child-development-lab-at-100-celebrating-a-legacy-of-helping-children-and-families-thrive/
