SOUTH HAVEN | Preschoolers sat around the table in the library of South Haven Elementary School rolling paint-laden golf balls over construction paper hearts.

Nick Visef, who turns 3 next week, was having so much fun, he asked to do another, and then another.

Nick and two other preschoolers took part Wednesday in the afternoon session of Creation Station, a special story time/craft hour run by high school students in the Porter County Vocational and Technical school's education in early childhood program.

It was all about the youngsters teaching the high school students about the abilities of preschoolers and the high school students teaching the preschoolers skills ranging from reading to small motor skill development and socialization.

The program, teacher Barb Iddings said, allows high school students who want to go into education get a taste of teaching. Until 2003, the high school students worked with youngsters in the school's preschool program. When that program ended, Iddings said they looked at other ways the future teachers could get some experience in early childhood education.

The Creation Station program, offered once a month to preschool children and their parents free of charge, has been held off-and-on since then. The next hour-long sessions will be held at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 10 at the school.

Heather Crews brought daughter Evelyn, 2, to Creation Station. She brought her son, who is now a first-grader at the school, to previous sessions.

"It kind of gives them a chance of interaction with other people besides mom," Crews said.

Iddings said the program exposes the preschoolers to reading, crafts, socializing with others and a general school atmosphere.

The high school students not only get a taste of teaching, but if they complete the two-year program they can earn certification to work in a day care setting and earn up to 12 credits through Ivy Tech Community College.