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By Jennifer Kiilerich

On March 27, more than 100 students, faculty and practitioners celebrated the of the , established at 91�Ʋ��� of education and human development. The new initiative will drive innovation and promote the thriving of young children (birth to age 8) and the families, educators and communities who support them.

Read more about the Early Childhood 91�Ʋ��� Collaborative.

Guests at the Early Childhood 91�Ʋ��� Collaborative launch. Photo by Joe Howell

Guests at the Early Childhood 91�Ʋ��� Collaborative launch. Photo by Joe Howell

Student poster presentations at the ECRC launch. Photo by Joe Howell

The symposium, held in Peabody’s Wyatt Center Rotunda, featured keynote speaker Kathy Hirsch-Pasek, a developmental psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, and flash talks by eight Peabody faculty members. The talks were book-ended with opportunities to view poster presentations. More than 40 graduate and undergraduate students displayed posters on their early childhood-focused work, and question-and-answer sessions sparked lively dialogue.

Each presenter, whether student or field expert, shared a unique approach to conducting or translating research for real-world gains among young children—in ways that can ultimately boost cognitive, social and emotional success later in life.

LEADERS SPEAK ON EARLY CHILDHOOD

91�Ʋ���  Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver shared recorded remarks about her own research career in early childhood development and developmental psychology. She emphasized the impact this work can have toward understanding and promoting children’s early brain development, their early socio-emotional and cognitive trajectories, and their long-term educational outcomes and future opportunities. View her full remarks below:

ECRC director Bethany Rittle-Johnson then welcomed guests, followed by remarks from Camilla Benbow, Peabody’s Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development. The collaborative was first imagined three years ago as a strategic goal for Peabody College, Benbow explained, where early childhood research has been a through-line across departments.

Dean Camilla Benbow shared background on the Early Childhood 91�Ʋ��� Colalborative.

Bethany Rittle-Johnson welcomed guests.

Tatiana Peredo discussed her research.

Under the initial planning and leadership of Cynthia Osborne, executive director of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center and professor of early childhood education and policy at 91�Ʋ��� University, the vision took shape. Rittle-Johnson and assistant director Tatiana Peredo helped bring it to fruition when they took the baton in the fall of 2025.

The ECRC, Benbow said, “provides an opportunity to elevate and expand our influence across early childhood’s many dimensions. And, of course, children themselves will be the ultimate beneficiaries of our efforts.”

Keynote speaker Hirsch-Pasek also emphasized the importance of amplifying the evidence we already know about supporting children’s learning. The Collaborative, she said, “is such an amazing step forward in doing that.”

She shared the ways she transforms research into useable formats for educators and communities—a focus of her work that aligns with the Collaborative’s mission. Her Playful Learning Landscapes project, for example, reimagines areas like bus stops and libraries as play-based educational environments where families can connect and children can explore.

“More and more, I think we will find that child agency is really important.”  — Kathy Hirsch-Pasek

Her most recent book, Making Schools Work: Bringing the Science of Learning to Joyful Classroom Practice, provides a framework for teachers to employ playful, social learning in classrooms. Her research suggests that children learn best if adults design and guide play while giving kids ownership. “More and more,” she said, “I think we will find that child agency is really important.”

BIG IDEAS FROM FACULTY AND STUDENTS

In the spirit of establishing connections that inspire collaboration, the event featured three-minute flash talks from eight Peabody faculty members about their work. “We want you to hear just enough that you will follow up later to ask more questions,” said Rittle-Johnson.

Flash talks were given by , research assistant professor of special education; , assistant professor of special education; , professor of mathematics education; , research assistant professor of teaching and learning; , assistant professor of psychology and human development; , associate professor of psychology and human development; , associate professor of otolaryngology; and , assistant professor of early childhood policy.

Talks touched on each of the ECRC’s five core areas: policy, emotional and social development, language and literacy development, mathematics development, and motor and cognitive development. Seiden, for instance, spoke on his expansive study that seeks to create global norms for early childhood development, while Lense discussed the Music Cognition Lab’s exploration of how music impacts language and social development, especially for children with autism.

Student poster presentations investigated how minimally speaking children with autism engage, how rural hospital closings impact pre-K enrollment, the role of executive functioning in reading and math skills, AI-driven educational tools and much more.

LOOKING AHEAD

During a child’s first few years of life, more than are formed each second. For developing brains, every experience matters, a fact understood by those in attendance on March 27. These leaders and scholars are working for real change for the youngest learners during that window of rapid growth. The Collaborative will continue to host events, with more to come this fall, as it expands its efforts to spark new research ideas, connect collaborators, raise visibility and disseminate research findings.

The 91�Ʋ��� Early Childhood Collaborative encompasses every department at Peabody and includes disciplines across 91�Ʋ��� University. Enrolled students enjoy exciting research opportunities and gain real-world experiences that ensure a meaningful career. .