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Previous Research Studies

The CECE has conducted over two dozen studies since the center was created. Below, explore our research by topic, by investigator, or by year.

Studies by Year

2016 - Present
- Early Childhood Teacher Candidates’ Competency in Assistive Technology (2023-2024, Kwangwon Lee & Juliana Fabrizi)
- Coding by Preschoolers: Study of their Socio-Emotional and Programming Behaviors and Impact on their Math Abilities (2023, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Association Of Children’s Symbolic Play in the Pretend and Block Centers of Preschool Classrooms with Inhibitory Control (2022-2023, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Alternative Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education (2021-2023, Kwangwon Lee & Sudha Swaminathan)
- A Social Turn-Taking Intervention for Young Children with Autism (2020-2023, Kwangwon Lee)
- The Association Between Peer and Teacher Interactions, Classroom Factors, and the Social Participation of Dual Language Learners in Preschool (2019-2021, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- Effective Teaching Strategies to Support Play by Children with Sensory Disabilities (2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Madison Bailey)
- Study of Coding and Debugging by Preschoolers (2019-2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Jenna Mazza)
- The Effects of Physical Activity During Outdoor Play on Children's On-Task Behavior During Group Time (2019, Allison Lundy)
- The Impact of Group Time Toy Discussions on Play Quality (2016-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- TIMPANI Toy Study: Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture the Imagination (2010-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- Differences in Social Interactions During Between Dual Language Learners and English-Only Speakers (2018, Stefanie Dominguez)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Math Talk During Preschool Play To Young Children’s Mathematics Learning (2016-2017, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Choices Preschool Children Make During Free Play Time: Effects of Age, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and Ethnicity (2016, Samantha Marsh)
- Using Literacy to Encourage Mathematical Interest in Preschool (2016, Sarah Beth Tonzi)
- Identifying Math Conversations in Play That Promote Early Mathematical Thinking in Preschools (2016, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Sudha Swaminathan, & Alysson Iannicelli)
2006 - 2015
- The Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Development in Preschoolers (2015, Amy Gagnon)
- Block Play & Mathematics Learning in Preschool (2014-2015, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Naptime Data Meetings to Increase the Math Talk of Early Care & Education Providers (2013, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- The Effects of Physical Education on Classroom Behaviors (2013, Rachel Hanrahan)
- Teacher-Child Interactions and Scaffolding During Educational Technology Use (2012, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Data-Driven, Language Differentiated Professional Development for Teachers (2009-2011, Maureen Ruby & Ann Anderberg)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Interactions in Preschool Play to Young Children’s Mathematical Ability (2010-2011, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Handheld vs. Desktop Computers: Effective Usage by Preschoolers in Natural Learning Environments (2010, Sudha Swaminathan)
- The Effects of Physical and Outdoor Play on Young Children’s Development (2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Darren Robert, Ann Gruenberg, & Julia DeLapp)
- TIMPANI Toy Study: Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture the Imagination (2010-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- Reliability and Validity of an Instrument to Measure the Effects of Toys on the Cognitive, Creative, and Social Behaviors of Preschool Children (2009-2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Heather Russell, & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Drawing Back the Lens on Play: A Frame Analysis of Young Children’s Play in Puerto Rico (2009, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- Digital Video Documentation as a Reflective Tool for Enhancing Children’s Mathematical Understanding and Reasoning (2008, Sudha Swaminathan)
- “Good-Fit” Teacher-Child Play Interactions and the Subsequent Autonomous Play of Preschool Children (2006, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- Untangling Teacher-Child Play Interactions: Do Teacher Education and Experience Influence Good-Fit Responses to Children’s Play? (2006, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)

Studies by Topic

Adult Education
- Early Childhood Teacher Candidates’ Competency in Assistive Technology (2023-2024, Kwangwon Lee)
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Alternative Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education (2021-2023, Kwangwon Lee & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Naptime Data Meetings to Increase the Math Talk of Early Care & Education Providers (2013, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- Data-Driven, Language Differentiated Professional Development for Teachers (2009-2011, Maureen Ruby & Ann Anderberg)
- Untangling Teacher-Child Play Interactions: Do Teacher Education and Experience Influence Good-Fit Responses to Children’s Play? (2006, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
Children with Special Needs
- Early Childhood Teacher Candidates’ Competency in Assistive Technology (2023-2024, Kwangwon Lee)
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Alternative Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education (2021-2023, Kwangwon Lee & Sudha Swaminathan)
- A Social Turn-Taking Intervention for Young Children with Autism (2020-2023, Kwangwon Lee)
- Effective Teaching Strategies to Support Play by Children with Sensory Disabilities (2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Madison Bailey)
Dual Language Learners
- The Association Between Peer and Teacher Interactions, Classroom Factors, and the Social Participation of Dual Language Learners in Preschool (2019-2021, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- Differences in Social Interactions During Play Between Dual Language Learners and English-Only Speakers (2018, Stefanie Dominguez)
Language and Literacy
- Using Literacy to Encourage Mathematical Interest in Preschool (2016, Sarah Beth Tonzi)
- Data-Driven, Language Differentiated Professional Development for Teachers (2009-2011, Maureen Ruby & Ann Anderberg)
Mathematics
- Coding by Preschoolers: Study of their Socio-Emotional and Programming Behaviors and Impact on their Math Abilities (2023, Sudha Swaminathan)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Math Talk During Preschool Play To Young Children’s Mathematics Learning (2016-2017, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Using Literacy to Encourage Mathematical Interest in Preschool (2016, Sarah Beth Tonzi)
- Identifying Math Conversations in Play That Promote Early Mathematical Thinking in Preschools (2016, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Sudha Swaminathan, & Alysson Iannicelli)
- The Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Development in Preschoolers (2015, Amy Gagnon)
- Block Play & Mathematics Learning in Preschool (2014-2015, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Naptime Data Meetings to Increase the Math Talk of Early Care & Education Providers (2013, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Interactions in Preschool Play to Young Children’s Mathematical Ability (2010-2011, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
Play
- Association Of Children’s Symbolic Play in the Pretend and Block Centers of Preschool Classrooms with Inhibitory Control (2022-2023, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Association Between Peer and Teacher Interactions, Classroom Factors, and the Social Participation of Dual Language Learners in Preschool (2019-2021, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Effects of Physical Activity During Outdoor Play on Children's On-Task Behavior During Group Time (2019, Allison Lundy)
- The Impact of Group Time Toy Discussions on Play Quality (2016-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- Differences in Social Interactions During Play Between Dual Language Learners and English-Only Speakers (2018, Stefanie Dominguez)
- TIMPANI Toy Study: Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture the Imagination (2010-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Math Talk During Preschool Play To Young Children’s Mathematics Learning (2016-2017, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Choices Preschool Children Make During Free Play Time: Effects of Age, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and Ethnicity (2016, Samantha Marsh)
- Identifying Math Conversations in Play That Promote Early Mathematical Thinking in Preschools (2016, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Sudha Swaminathan, & Alysson Iannicelli)
- Block Play & Mathematics Learning in Preschool (2014-2015, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Interactions in Preschool Play to Young Children’s Mathematical Ability (2010-2011, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- The Effects of Physical and Outdoor Play on Young Children’s Development (2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Darren Robert, Ann Gruenberg, & Julia DeLapp)
- Reliability and Validity of an Instrument to Measure the Effects of Toys on the Cognitive, Creative, and Social Behaviors of Preschool Children (2009-2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Heather Russell, & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Drawing Back the Lens on Play: A Frame Analysis of Young Children’s Play in Puerto Rico (2009, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- “Good-Fit” Teacher-Child Play Interactions and the Subsequent Autonomous Play of Preschool Children (2006, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- Untangling Teacher-Child Play Interactions: Do Teacher Education and Experience Influence Good-Fit Responses to Children’s Play? (2006, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
Physical development and activity
- The Effects of Physical Activity During Outdoor Play on Children's On-Task Behavior During Group Time (2019, Allison Lundy)
- The Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Development in Preschoolers (2015, Amy Gagnon)
- The Effects of Physical Education on Classroom Behaviors (2013, Rachel Hanrahan)
- The Effects of Physical and Outdoor Play on Young Children’s Development (2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Darren Robert, Ann Gruenberg, & Julia DeLapp
Social and emotional development
- Coding by Preschoolers: Study of their Socio-Emotional and Programming Behaviors and Impact on their Math Abilities (2023, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Association Of Children’s Symbolic Play in the Pretend and Block Centers of Preschool Classrooms with Inhibitory Control (2022-2023, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Association Between Peer and Teacher Interactions, Classroom Factors, and the Social Participation of Dual Language Learners in Preschool (2019-2020, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- Differences in Social Interactions During Play Between Dual Language Learners and English-Only Speakers (2018, Stefanie Dominguez)
- TIMPANI Toy Study: Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture the Imagination (2010-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
Technology
- Early Childhood Teacher Candidates’ Competency in Assistive Technology (2023-2024, Kwangwon Lee)
- Coding by Preschoolers: Study of their Socio-Emotional and Programming Behaviors and Impact on their Math Abilities (2023, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Study of Coding and Debugging by Preschoolers (2019-2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Jenna Mazza)
- Teacher-Child Interactions and Scaffolding During Educational Technology Use (2012, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Handheld vs. Desktop Computers: Effective Usage by Preschoolers in Natural Learning Environments (2010, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Digital Video Documentation as a Reflective Tool for Enhancing Children’s Mathematical Understanding and Reasoning (2008, Sudha Swaminathan)

Studies by Principal Investigator

Ann Anderberg
- Data-Driven, Language Differentiated Professional Development for Teachers (2009-2011, Maureen Ruby & Ann Anderberg)
Julia DeLapp
- Association Of Children’s Symbolic Play in the Pretend and Block Centers of Preschool Classrooms with Inhibitory Control (2022-2023, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Association Between Peer and Teacher Interactions, Classroom Factors, and the Social Participation of Dual Language Learners in Preschool (2019-2020, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Impact of Group Time Toy Discussions on Play Quality (2016-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- TIMPANI Toy Study: Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture the Imagination (2010-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Effects of Physical and Outdoor Play on Young Children’s Development (2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Darren Robert, Ann Gruenberg, & Julia DeLapp)
Ann Gruenberg
- The Effects of Physical and Outdoor Play on Young Children’s Development (2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Darren Robert, Ann Gruenberg, & Julia DeLapp)
Kwangwon Lee
- Early Childhood Teacher Candidates’ Competency in Assistive Technology (2023-2024, Kwangwon Lee)
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Alternative Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education (2021-2023, Kwangwon Lee & Sudha Swaminathan)
- A Social Turn-Taking Intervention for Young Children with Autism (2020-2023, Kwangwon Lee)
Darren Robert
- The Effects of Physical and Outdoor Play on Young Children’s Development (2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Darren Robert, Ann Gruenberg, & Julia DeLapp)
Maureen Ruby
- Data-Driven, Language Differentiated Professional Development for Teachers (2009-2011, Maureen Ruby & Ann Anderberg)
Sudha Swaminathan
- Coding by Preschoolers: Study of their Socio-Emotional and Programming Behaviors and Impact on their Math Abilities (2023, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Alternative Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education (2021-2023, Kwangwon Lee & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Effective Teaching Strategies to Support Play by Children with Sensory Disabilities (2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Madison Bailey)
- Study of Coding and Debugging by Preschoolers (2019-2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Jenna Mazza)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Math Talk During Preschool Play To Young Children’s Mathematics Learning (2016-2017, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Identifying Math Conversations in Play That Promote Early Mathematical Thinking in Preschools (2016, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Sudha Swaminathan, & Alysson Iannicelli)
- Block Play & Mathematics Learning in Preschool (2014-2015, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Teacher-Child Interactions and Scaffolding During Educational Technology Use (2012, Sudha Swaminathan)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Interactions in Preschool Play to Young Children’s Mathematical Ability (2010-2011, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Handheld vs. Desktop Computers: Effective Usage by Preschoolers in Natural Learning Environments (2010, Sudha Swaminathan)
- Reliability and Validity of an Instrument to Measure the Effects of Toys on the Cognitive, Creative, and Social Behaviors of Preschool Children (2009-2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Heather Russell, & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Digital Video Documentation as a Reflective Tool for Enhancing Children’s Mathematical Understanding and Reasoning (2008, Sudha Swaminathan)
Jeffrey Trawick-Smith
- Association Of Children’s Symbolic Play in the Pretend and Block Centers of Preschool Classrooms with Inhibitory Control (2022-2023, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Association Between Peer and Teacher Interactions, Classroom Factors, and the Social Participation of Dual Language Learners in Preschool (2019-2020, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Impact of Group Time Toy Discussions on Play Quality (2016-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- TIMPANI Toy Study: Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture the Imagination (2010-2019, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Julia DeLapp)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Math Talk During Preschool Play To Young Children’s Mathematics Learning (2016-2017, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Identifying Math Conversations in Play That Promote Early Mathematical Thinking in Preschools (2016, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Sudha Swaminathan, & Alysson Iannicelli)
- Block Play & Mathematics Learning in Preschool (2014-2015, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Naptime Data Meetings to Increase the Math Talk of Early Care & Education Providers (2013, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- The Relationship of Teacher-Child Interactions in Preschool Play to Young Children’s Mathematical Ability (2010-2011, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith & Sudha Swaminathan)
- The Effects of Physical and Outdoor Play on Young Children’s Development (2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Darren Robert, Ann Gruenberg, & Julia DeLapp)
- Reliability and Validity of an Instrument to Measure the Effects of Toys on the Cognitive, Creative, and Social Behaviors of Preschool Children (2009-2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Heather Russell, & Sudha Swaminathan)
- Drawing Back the Lens on Play: A Frame Analysis of Young Children’s Play in Puerto Rico (2009, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- “Good-Fit” Teacher-Child Play Interactions and the Subsequent Autonomous Play of Preschool Children (2006, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
- Untangling Teacher-Child Play Interactions: Do Teacher Education and Experience Influence Good-Fit Responses to Children’s Play? (2006, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith)
Student Researchers
- Effective Teaching Strategies to Support Play by Children with Sensory Disabilities (2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Madison Bailey)
- Study of Coding and Debugging by Preschoolers (2019-2020, Sudha Swaminathan & Jenna Mazza)
- The Effects of Physical Activity During Outdoor Play on Children's On-Task Behavior During Group Time (2019, Allison Lundy)
- Differences in Social Interactions During Between Dual Language Learners and English-Only Speakers (2018, Stefanie Dominguez)
- Choices Preschool Children Make During Free Play Time: Effects of Age, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and Ethnicity (2016, Samantha Marsh)
- Using Literacy to Encourage Mathematical Interest in Preschool (2016, Sarah Beth Tonzi)
- The Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Development in Preschoolers (2015, Amy Gagnon)
- The Effects of Physical Education on Classroom Behaviors (2013, Rachel Hanrahan)
- Reliability and Validity of an Instrument to Measure the Effects of Toys on the Cognitive, Creative, and Social Behaviors of Preschool Children (2009-2010, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Heather Russell, & Sudha Swaminathan)