Early-Childhood Research

Image of elementary students sitting in a circle.
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Equity & Diversity Young Children Think and Talk About Race. How Should Teachers Respond?
Educators, many wary of recent restrictions on the topic, discussed the challenge at a recent professional conference.
Sarah Schwartz, December 7, 2022
4 min read
A multi-ethnic group of preschool students is sitting with their legs crossed on the floor in their classroom. The mixed-race female teacher is sitting on the floor facing the children. The happy kids are smiling and following the teacher's instructions. They have their arms raised in the air.
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Early Childhood As Head Start Quality Push Continues, Advocates Raise Red Flag on Equity
Inadequate federal funding forces Head Start providers to choose between quality and quantity, a new report contends.
Evie Blad, December 1, 2022
2 min read
Illustration of students and a teacher.
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School & District Management What the Research Says Principals Matter for Preschools, But Studies Show They Lack Training
New research suggests principals need to learn more about the preschool classes in their buildings.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 7, 2022
3 min read
Julian Gresham, 12, left, works in a group to program a Bee-Bot while in their fifth grade summer school class Monday, June 14, 2021, at Goliad Elementary School. Bee-bots and are new to Ector County Independent School District and help to teach students basic programming skills like sequencing, estimation and problem-solving.
Students work in a group to program a Bee-Bot while in their summer school class at Goliad Elementary School in Odessa, Texas.
Jacob Ford/Odessa American via AP
Early Childhood Get a Very Early Start on Teaching Coding Skills. Pilot Study Suggests Trying Robotic Toys
The study found that coding exercises enhanced the preschoolers’ problem-solving skills, creativity, and determination.
Lauraine Langreo, June 24, 2022
2 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
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Early Childhood Opinion The Not-So-Certain Science of Pre-K
Much of the support for universal preschool proceeds with a blind assurance that leaves difficult questions aside.
Rick Hess, May 24, 2022
4 min read
A Birmingham, Ala., preschool teacher works with a student wearing a "talk pedometer," which records child and adult vocalizations, as part of the school-based LENA Grow program. Teachers receive report on how much talk and interaction each child experiences in a day of recording.
A Birmingham, Ala., preschool teacher works with a student wearing a "talk pedometer," which records child and adult vocalizations, as part of the school-based LENA Grow program. Teachers receive reports on how much talk and interaction each child experiences in a day of recording.
Courtesy of LENA Foundation
Early Childhood Pandemic Kids Need Early Language Support. Here's How Teachers Can Help
Preschool teachers share their ideas for promoting students' language growth.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 8, 2022
3 min read
Illustration of woman and boy talking.
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Early Childhood What the Research Says Babies Are Saying Less Since the Pandemic: Why That's Concerning
Children born in the pandemic have heard fewer words and conversations. Their language development has suffered.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 7, 2022
5 min read
Image of a teacher and preschool students.
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Early Childhood What the Research Says Early Education Pays Off. A New Study Shows How
Students from state-funded universal preschool, but not federal Head Start, took more-challenging courses in high school, a study finds.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 29, 2022
4 min read
Student Well-Being Spotlight Spotlight on Helping Students
This Spotlight will empower you with insights on newer tutoring methods and learning solutions available, mental health supports, and more.
March 23, 2022
Early math programs add support, research suggests.
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Mathematics What the Research Says These Early Math Supports Translated to Gains Later on for Vulnerable Students
A new study shows how a combination of preschool and kindergarten math supports led to better achievement and less absenteeism in 3rd grade.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 10, 2021
3 min read
Pre-K teacher Vera Csizmadia teaches 3-and 4-year-old students in her classroom at the Dr. Charles Smith Early Childhood Center in Palisades Park, N.J. on Sept. 16, 2021.
Pre-K teacher Vera Csizmadia teaches 3- and 4-year-old students in her classroom at the Dr. Charles Smith Early Childhood Center in Palisades Park, N.J., last month.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Early Childhood What the Research Says Preschool Enrollment Has Plunged: What That Means for School Readiness
Census data confirm that more than a million young children missed preschool during the pandemic, putting school readiness at risk.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 25, 2021
4 min read
Two students wearing masks and backpacks in front of lockers.
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Student Well-Being Masks Won't Slow Language for Kids If There's Plenty of Face Time at Home, Expert Says
While masks may decrease facial cues, it's too early to know for sure how wearing masks might affect speech and language, an expert says.
Ed Stannard, New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.), August 23, 2021
6 min read
Image shows preschool boy wearing a protective face mask with a marker in hand.
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Early Childhood What the Research Says Starting School After the Pandemic: Youngest Students Will Need Foundational Skills
The earliest grades saw the biggest enrollment drops in 2020-21. Experts say these students will need significant help come fall.
Sarah D. Sparks, June 21, 2021
4 min read
Early Childhood Live Online Discussion The Impact of the Coronavirus on Early-Childhood Learning
Early-childhood learning plays an important role in a child's development, but what once focused mostly on play and relationship building has evolved into a more academic-focused experience. What have we learned from this development? And
February 24, 2021