Newsletter, May 2022
On Cultural Responsivity in Research
A group of CCF's Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) students were recently interviewed about their experience in the program and why they are driven to lend their voices to early childhood research. "I wanted to see how much I could push," one student said. Another said, "This semester really reiterated in me that I can do it. There are honestly no barriers." Read the article here.
CCF Faculty Affiliate Traces Origin of Infant Speech Development
Dr. Meghan Swanson is an assistant professor of psychology and CCF faculty affiliate. Her work in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences focuses on how brain development varies in children who are later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. At a recent conference, Swanson presented evidence that early language development for both neurotypical and atypical children uses resources from widespread areas of the brain — areas that extend beyond the regions associated with communication in adults. Read more...
REU Student Research Projects
Combining their experiences in CCF's Play With Me program, work with our faculty affiliates, and their own life experiences, our REU students are now conducting culturally-responsive research in different areas of developmental science. This includes identifying markers in Hispanic children's early language skills to better understand academic disparities; learning what Latinx mothers perceive as chaotic in their home environments, activities, and routines; and understanding what kinds of foods and portion sizes parents think are appropriate for their children. Read more...
Now Recruiting for Summer Play With Me Programs
Calling all parents with young children ages 0-3! We are now recruiting families for our Play With Me playful-learning programs for the summer. Groups will meet in Vickery Meadow, Pleasant Grove, and at UT Dallas for 8 weeks starting the week of June 13th. More information on our website here. Spots are limited; register today!
Congratulations Graduates!
Congratulations to our Spring 2022 graduates: Venise, Sandra, Priscilla, Giselle, and Kaumudi (not pictured)! We are so thankful for your assistance in our Play With Me programs and discussions in our REU. Your insights have given us new perspectives to apply to our own work in the Center for Children and Families. We wish you all the very best with what is next in your lives!
2022 Spring Lecture Series "Fostering Resilience in the Face of Adversity"
In case you missed it, see here for a video recording of Dr. Kim Noble's keynote spring lecture on "Socioeconomic Inequity and Child Brain Development." Videos from all of CCF's 14th annual spring lecture series are available on our website.
From the Director
We've now wrapped up an exciting and engaging spring semester and are looking forward to our plans for summer which include in-person Play With Me programs conducted weekly in 3 locations and continued work supporting our REU students in their culturally responsive research projects addressing children's health and development. We've just accepted our next cohort of REU students--who will begin in August--and we can't wait to introduce them to you. If you have some extra time this summer, we'd love to see you and say hello - please drop a note if you would like a UT Dallas tour or meeting. We look forward to connecting!