National Research

A study published in Pediatrics found that US preschool-aged children exposed to the 3 household routines of regularly eating the evening meal as a family, obtaining adequate nighttime sleep, and having limited screen-viewing time had an 40% lower prevalence of obesity than those exposed to none of these routines. These household routines may be promising targets for obesity-prevention efforts in early childhood.

A new Child Trends study commissioned by the Council of Chief State School Officers finds that disparities in child outcomes between poor, at-risk, and more advantaged children are evident as early as 9 months and grow larger by 24 months of age.

CDC examined trends and current prevalence in obesity using PedNSS data submitted by participating states, territories, and Indian tribal organizations during 1998--2008.

The Child Well-Being Index (CWI) for 2009 finds that the current recession is likely to undo virtually all progress made in children’s economic well-being since 1975. The fall in economic well-being will drag down other indicators on the CWI, including children’s health, safety and community connectedness.

This brief from the Effective Preschool and Primary Education (EPPE) project presents findings that show preschool quality and effectiveness remained statistically significant predictors of educational attainment and social/behavioral outcomes through sixth grade.

A new multicenter study involving UCLA and the RAND Corp. has found that perceived racial or ethnic discrimination is not an uncommon experience among fifth-grade students and that it may have a negative effect on their mental health.

In July 2007, recognizing the opportunity to improve the delivery of developmental services teams from 19 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia came together to form the Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) Screening Academy.

Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D., of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, and colleagues examined the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in 340 children in New York City, ages 9 to 16, who had been exposed to HIV before birth.

State-funded voluntary prekindergarten programs have grown steadily over the past decade and now enroll more than one million children. Lessons from Six State Journeys by Debra J. Ackerman, W. Steven Barnett, Laura E. Hawkinson, Kirsty Brown and Elizabeth A. McGonigle

A new theory suggests that early humans used play to overcome the innate tendencies toward aggression and dominance which would have made a cooperative society impossible.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) published this brief that examines existing paid leave state policies and concludes with recommendations for state policymakers.

A new report from the AFT and the Albert Shanker Institute suggests that early, age-appropriate instruction in language, literacy, mathematics and science can have significant, long-lasting effects on preschool children's social and cognitive skills.

The purposes of the Society are to promote multidisciplinary research in the field of human development, to foster the exchange of information among scientists and other professionals of various disciplines, and to encourage applications of research findings.

This research brief presents different ways to expand and improve Infant and Toddler Care.

Beginning in 2001 researchers at Georgetown University have evaluated the effectiveness of the Tulsa Public Schools pre-K program, which serves four-year-old children, regardless of income.

This research brief synthesizes the latest research that demonstrates how family involvement contributes to young children's learning and development.

Child Trends developed this website to provide updated trend data with the latest national estimates for all indicators.

The National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research was established to increase the nation's understanding of the complex causes of child maltreatment.

This paper attempts to provide insight into three topics central to understanding and improving early childhood mathematics education in the United States.

Zero to Three presents recommendations to assist states in creating or revising Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers.

A comprehensive look at readiness gaps when children enter school and achievement gaps in Early Elementary School in California.

A new 40-page report detailing how California children are faring and informing the agenda for critical children’s health and education policy improvements needed in 2008.

The study examined the characteristics and early predictors of infant development and parenting, utilizing a large, nationally representative sample of 9-month-old infants and their families from the Department of Education's Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey—Birth Cohort (ECLS–B).

Online resources designed for users to search the full text of thousands of relevant to the field of child care and early education.

The Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) was founded in 1983 at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to promote the educational and social success and well-being of children, families, and their communities.  HFRP collects, analyzes, and synthesizes research and information to foster continuous improvement and learning.

Research Connections is an online tool designed for users to search the full text of thousands of resources relevant to the field of child care and early education. Interactive tools allow users to refine their searches, download full text documents, build customized tables on state policies, compare state demographics, and analyze research data online.

The National Institute for Early Education Research supports early childhood education initiatives by providing research-based advice and technical assistance to four primary groups: policy makers, journalists, researchers, and educators.

Powerpoint presentation from the Latino Public Opinion Survey about PreK Programs (funded by Pre[K] Now and conducted by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute).