Dozens of preschoolers and kindergartners in CSUN's Child and Family Studies Center's Lab School will get their chance to make snowmen or slide through the snow when more than six tons of the white stuff will be produced in the school's playground beginning at 9:30 a.m.

"It's winter right now, but this being Southern California, it's kind of hard to remember that for many people winter is snow and freezing cold," said Barbara Hill, director of the center. "We thought we'd give the children a chance to experience what a real winter might feel like."

The Lab School, which serves preschool and kindergarten children, is located at 18330 Halsted St. in Northridge.

The Lab School and center are part of CSUN's Department of Family Environmental Sciences and are dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the whole child as well as forming a partnership with the child's family. The school also serves as a learning environment for CSUN students interested in working with children. The center recently started an infant and toddler day care program.

California State University, Northridge has more than 30,000 full- and part-time students and offers 59 bachelor's and 41 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher education."