Lab Director: Jenna Finch, Ph.D
Areas of Research
Self-Regulation and Motivation at School
Schools provide many opportunities for children to practice their self-regulation skills. On the playground and in the classroom, children are expected to inhibit their impulses, shift flexibility between different rules, and remember and apply information. Our research explores how interactions with teachers and peers can promote the development of self-regulation skills in preschool and elementary school classrooms. Further, we study how children's self-regulation and motivation work together to impact their classroom behaviors.
Development of Executive Functions
Executive functions support children's regulation of their attention and behaviors and have important implications for their social and academic success. Our research focuses on the development of children's executive functions in early and middle childhood.
International Child Development
The vast majority of developmental research is done in high-income contexts, neglecting the 90% of children who live in low and middle-income countries. Our work focuses on the heterogeneity of intervention effects on young children's development and family processes that promote resilience for children internationally.
Early Socioeconomic Disparities
Large socioeconomic achievement gaps exist between children from low-income families and their more advantaged peers at school entry. Children's experiences at home and in early care and education settings have significant impacts on their developmental trajectories. Our research examines how children's early experiences can promote positive development for at-risk children.