Newsletter, February 2022
2022-23 Research Experiences for Undergraduates Application Open
CCF is accepting applications for its 2022-23 Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, supported by the National Science Foundation. Students receive a $6,300 stipend over the course of the year for their participation in developmental science training and research. UT Dallas and area community college students who are historically underrepresented in science are encouraged to apply. See here for more information and to apply. Applications are due April 1st.
Willis & Friends: Toy Pollution - What Do We Know About Toys and Early Relational Development?
CCF Play With Me Program Manager Adriana Baird recently joined Dr. David Willis (The Center for the Study of Social Policy) and colleagues for a discussion about toys and their role in the parent-child relationship. "What you see happening with the toys is a reflection of what's happening with the parent-child relationship," Baird said. Watch the discussion here.
Promoting Healthy Eating Habits and Children's Independence
Three Research Experiences for Undergraduate students recently created videos on promoting healthy eating habits and independence for First3Year's Baby Day. The videos present ideas for creating child-directed experiences at mealtimes to facilitate healthy eating habits and to promote children's independence. The videos are available here in English and in Spanish.
Recent Faculty Research
Faculty affiliates of the Center are highly productive scholars whose research crosses the fields of human development ranging from parent-child relationships to social-emotional health. Recent publications include:

Mills, C. M., Danovitch, J. H., Mugambi, V. N., Sands, K. R., & Monroe, A. J. (2021). Cognitive reflection and authoritarianism relate to how parents respond to children’s science questions. Developmental Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/dev0001309

Poucher, J., Prager, K., & Shirvani, F. (2022). Intimacy, attachment to the partner, and daily well-being in romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211060392

Sack, L., Dollaghan, C. & Goffman, L. (2021). Contributions of early motor deficits in predicting language outcomes among preschoolers with developmental language disorder. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2021.1998629

Scotch, R., & Sutton, K. (2021). The Disability Rights Movement. In R. Brown, M. Maroto, & D. Pettinicchio (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Disability. Oxford University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190093167.013.44
From the Director
We are halfway through our Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and already thinking about next year's cohort. Please help us spread the word if you know of students who would be interested in applying. The students are getting involved in a myriad of activities from writing papers with faculty members, to continuing to work with children and parents in Play With Me, to learning about developmental screenings, to assisting with grant writing--all while developing their research questions and thinking through career paths. It's an exciting time and we are grateful for their eagerness to learn.