Early Learning: Resources for Researchers and Educators

NICHD Resources

• Child Development and Behavior Branch (CDBB)
  The CDBB, within the NICHD's Division of Extramural Research (DER), develops scientific initiatives and supports research and research training relevant to the psychological, psychobiological, language, behavioral, and educational development and health of children. CDBB supports the following specific research programs:
  • Early Learning and School Readiness
  • Social and Emotional Development/Child and Family Processes
  • Cognitive Development, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Psychobiology
  • Language, Bilingualism, and Biliteracy
  • Mathematics and Science Cognition and Learning
  • Reading, Writing, and Related Learning Disabilities
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch (IDDB)
  IDDB sponsors research and research training aimed at understanding differences in early learning in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and at interventions to promote early learning.
• Maternal and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Branch (MPIDB)
  The DER's MPIDB examines cognitive effects of childhood HIV infection/treatment and early exposure to HIV or HIV drugs.
• Pediatric Growth and Nutrition Branch (PGNB)
  PGNB, also part of the DER, sponsors research on the role of nutrition in learning and development.
• Child and Family Research Section
  Investigators in this lab, part of the NICHD's Division of Intramural Research, investigate dispositional, experiential, and environmental factors that contribute to physical, mental, emotional, and social development in infants, children, and adolescents.
• Databrary
  The CDBB supports this open data library, housing video and audio materials and free tools for coding and analysis, for use by the developmental research community.
• Datasets from the NICHD Study of Early Childcare and Youth Development (SECCYD)
  The University of Michigan maintains a shared database available to researchers by application. The study spans four phases, from 1991 to 2008.

Other Resources

• Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel
  Published in 2010, this report assesses instructional practices used with children from birth to age 5; the aim is to aid parents and educators in supporting emerging literacy skills. In addition to the full report, an executive summary and a guide for childhood administrators and professional development providers are available.
• Early Literacy Toolkit
  Maintained by the American Association of Pediatrics, this online resource includes tips, handouts, charts, and more to assist pediatric professionals in encouraging families to read together.
• Head Start Approach to School Readiness
  The information in this site, maintained by the Administration for Children and Families, encompasses three major frameworks that promote an understanding of school readiness for parents and families, infants/toddlers, and preschoolers.
• National Science Foundation—Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR)
  EHR supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels by offering funding opportunities, resources for K-12 educators, special reports, and other information.
• Neurodevelopmental MRI Database
  This is a database of MRI average templates for infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Researchers can request access using the contact information on the site.
• NIH MRI Study of Normal Brain Development
  Qualified researchers can access data from the Pediatric MRI Data Repository developed as part of this study, including anatomical MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and MR spectroscopy data.
• Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
  The research arm of the Department of Education, the IES issues funding opportunities for research and training grants. IES also maintains reviews of childhood education interventions for 3- to 5-year-olds.
  • Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS)
    The National Center for Education Statistics, part of the IES, also provides researchers access to data from the ECLS, which gathers national data on childhood development from birth through 8th grade.
• Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read
  The NICHD led an independent panel established by Congress to evaluate research about reading instruction, the National Reading Panel, that issued its findings in 2000.
  • Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read
    This publication, based on the work of the National Reading Panel, discusses the implications of its findings for the classroom.
• Using Research and Reason in Education: How Teachers Can Use Scientifically Based Research to Make Curricular and Instructional Decisions
  This paper, published in 2003, offers educators guidance on developing skills to independently evaluate educational research. The content is also summarized in a brochure, What Is Scientifically Based Research? A Guide for Teachers.
• Science Education Conversations
  NIH has archived a series of eight videos on the topic of science education from 2012 and 2013.
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  NAEYC, a membership organization for professionals in the early childhood field (birth through age 8), has an accreditation program for early childhood education programs and for educator degree programs. The organization has an official position on school readiness, outlined in the publication NAEYC: Where We Stand on School Readiness (PDF – 129KB).

Please note: Links to organizations and information included on this page do not indicate endorsement from the NICHD, NIH, or HHS.