Early-Childhood Research

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
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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
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3 min read
Illustration of woman and boy talking.
<br/>BRO Vector/Getty
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
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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
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4 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement 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
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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
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4 min read
Two students wearing masks and backpacks in front of lockers.
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Student Well-Being & Movement 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
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6 min read
Image shows preschool boy wearing a protective face mask with a marker in hand.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
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
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4 min read
Wed., February 24, 2021, 2:00 p.m. - 3:01 p.m. ET
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
Register
February 24, 2021
Science Storytime, Meet Number Play: Early Math in the Home Matters for Later Skills
Preschool-age children who frequently play number-related games at home show better math skills and growth by the end of kindergarten, finds a new study in the journal Child Development.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 10, 2020
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3 min read
Early Childhood Video Academic Redshirting, and Why It’s Not So Simple
Academic redshirting has benefits and disadvantages on a child’s development that parents should keep in mind.
August 27, 2019
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2:40
Early Childhood How's Your Local Head Start Performing? Sampling Classrooms May Not Be Enough
Individual Head Start classrooms vary enough in quality that the ratings of more than a third of centers could change by random chance, a new study finds. The results suggest those looking to improve the early education centers need to target support to individual teachers, not just to whole-school training.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 18, 2019
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3 min read
School & District Management Like Father, Like Son: Preschool Benefits Cross Generations, Says Landmark Study
More than 50 years after research began on the Perry Preschool program, the ongoing study finds that the benefits are crossing generations. Can preschool break the poverty cycle?
Sarah D. Sparks, May 14, 2019
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6 min read
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