Preschool teachers at HACC's Grace M. Pollock Early Childhood Education and Child Care Center asked their young students what they knew about pets and the questions began. Answering those questions in the most fun and educational approach possible led to the center's recent dog project.

The children explored the world of dogs making drawings and listening to stories. Then teachers and early childhood education students, through an e-mail invitation to staff, arranged for special canine guest visits to round out the children's experience. The children discovered different breeds of dogs, big tails and little tails, what they liked to eat and that most of them slobber when they drink water.

Early childhood education students documented the project for their practicum requirement and for future use.

The Pollock center provides care and age-appropriate learning experiences for infants and pre-Kindergarten children of students, faculty and staff. A full-time, full-year classroom for children ages 3-5 was added that is open to the community.

Fully licensed, the center participates in the Keystone STARS Program, a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare initiative promoting quality child care service. For more information, contact the center at 780-2581 or send an e-mail to Winnie Richards, center director, at the e-mail address below.