Spatial Development
Developing strong spatial skills is important for children’s success in STEM domains, such as math and science. Spatial skills include remembering object locations, navigating in one’s environment, and mentally rotating objects. We study how spatial skills develop and how to improve such skills. Our research projects on spatial development often involve children playing a spatial game and/or describing spatial scenes.
Learning from Books
Books are a great source for children’s learning of factual information about the world. But not all books are effectively designed to support young children’s learning. We study how children learn facts from books and the types of interactions that parents and children have while reading. Our research projects on book reading often involve parents reading a book to their child and then us measuring children’s learning from the book.
Science Learning
Science is an important, yet sometimes challenging domain for young children. Children learn science in school. But a lot of learning also occurs outside the classroom in informal settings. We study how to help children more effectively learn science in informal settings such as during book reading or museum visits. Our research projects on science learning may involve us observing children’s interactions with science activities or exhibits at a local museum.