Early Learning
Early childhood – typically defined as preschool through about 3rd grade – is a critical developmental period and a core focus of the Education School's research. From training early childhood teachers to cultivating policy partnerships across Virginia and beyond, UVA's education school is deeply committed and engaged in how to improve education for our littlest learners.
News & Media
Measurable Impact
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99 %
of Virginia kindergartners take EHD's readiness assessments
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6 th
best Elementary Education program in the country
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50
states use tools developed at the School of Education and Human Development
Research Spotlight
Meet the Researchers
Daphna Bassok: Early Childhood Education Policy
Associate Professor, Associate Director of EdPolicyWorks
Learn MoreJamie DeCoster: Research Statistics & Methodology
Research Assistant Professor, CASTL
Learn MoreJason T. Downer: Early Childhood Achievement & Learning
Professor of Education, Director of CASTL
Learn MoreTanya Evans: Educational Neuroscience
Research Assistant Professor, CASTL
Learn MoreDavid W. Grissmer: Achievement Gaps, R&D Funding Policy
Research Professor, CASTL
Learn MoreChris S. Hulleman: Motivation & Learning Mindsets
Associate Professor, CASTL
Learn MoreJamie J. Jirout: Curiosity & Spatial Learning
Assistant Professor of Education, CASTL
Learn MoreJennifer LoCasale-Crouch: Early Childhood Classroom Interactions
Research Associate Professor, CASTL
Learn MoreLuke C. Miller: Early Childhood Education Policy
Research Assistant Professor, EdPolicyWorks
Learn MoreKatherine Miller-Bains: Large-Scale Teaching Supports
Research Assistant Professor, CASTL
Khara Turnbull: Language Development & Classroom Discourse
Assistant Professor of Education, Researcher at CASTL
Learn MoreVirginia E. Vitiello: Teacher-Child Interactions
Assistant Professor, CASTL
Learn MoreJessica E. Whittaker: Teacher-Child Interactions
Research Assistant Professor
Learn MoreAmanda P. Williford: Early Childhood Education
Batten Bicentennial Professor of Early Childhood Education
Learn MoreVivian Wong: Research Methodology
Assistant Professor, EdPolicyWorks
Learn MoreEarly Learning News
Study: What Brain Scans Reveal About Learning Math
A new UVA study will examine brain data of elementary-age students to explore how memory systems support math learning. (Illustration by Ziniu Chen, University Communications)
How Researchers, Policymakers and Practitioners Can Partner to Improve Early Childhood Education
In a new volume, researchers highlight the ways partnerships between researchers and policymakers are a promising approach to effectively expanding high quality early childhood education.
Curious About Curiosity? Professor Studies How Children Learn
With a new research fellowship, education professor Jamie Jirout will expand her research on how teachers and parents can encourage curiosity and spark interest in learning.
With $3.4M Grant, Researchers Will Examine Professional Development Impact on Preschoolers’ Behavior
Researchers will study an early childhood mental health consultation model aimed to improve teacher practice and promote young children’s success in preschool.
Q&A: Why the Science of Reading is as Important as Ever
A UVA professor of reading education says that some children will need higher levels of intensive, targeted reading instruction at the beginning of this school year.