CLI News
Dr. Zucker Spotlight Speaker for Event Showcasing the Science of Reading
CLI Co‑Director, Tricia A. Zucker, PhD, will be a keynote speaker at the 6th Annual Literacy Ma...
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Book Abstract: Successful reading comprehension requires readers to draw on a range of language comprehension abilities alongside decoding. This timely teacher reference ...
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Hands-On with TECPDS: Insights, Pathways & Collaboration
Join us for our next Lunch & Learn event featuring the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development Sys...
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High-quality care for infants and toddlers is built through intentional practice, thoughtful reflection, and strong, ongoing support. The Infant Toddler Specialist Networ...
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University hosts UT System volunteer leaders for Winter Meeting
The University of Texas System’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Texans was on full disp...
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This quarterly publication highlights the latest updates from the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) across our core operational areas, offering a snapshot of the res...
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Abstract: This article describes how early childhood teachers can partner with culturally and linguistically diverse families to support the early language and literacy d...
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Abstract: Introduction: This randomized control trial (RCT) evaluated an afterschool program with 24 weeks of hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) ac...
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In a state with more than 1.9 million young children, ensuring every child enters kindergarten ready is a daunting task. However, Texas School Ready is collaborating with...
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Abstract: Language develops rapidly over the infant and toddler period and has been a key area of research within the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience. Unde...
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Abstract: Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often involves injury to limbic structures that may be linked to posttraumatic psychological health difficulties. The au...
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Abstract: Diffusion tensor imaging studies in children suggest a link between abnormal white matter in limbic-prefrontal circuitry and behavioral problems. However, in ch...
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Abstract: Background: Brain injury (BI) is the largest cause of mortality and morbidity among children and can lead to significant cognitive, social, emotional and behav...
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At this year’s UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K Health Fair, Reach Out and Read Texas joined the festivities for the very first time—bringing the joy of child...
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The 2025 UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K brought together runners from across the city, but the spirit of the day shone brightest through the Pediatric Student A...
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Abstract: Maternal experiences of childhood abuse and neglect are increasingly shown to undermine healthy brain development and increase risk for neuropsychiatric problem...
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Inside University News featured the national recognition of the Children’s Learning Institute as a 2025 Amazon Web Services Champion. Congratulations to Brian Herod...
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Wondrous Words: Transforming Read-Alouds into Meaningful Learning Moments
Turning read-alouds into moments to learn wonderous words! This interactive session explored how...
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Abstract: Up to 50% of children sustaining physical injury develop post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Most studies of PTSS have not included patients with traumatic b...
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CenterPoint Energy brings more early literacy resources to families in Texas!
A child’s book can launch a lifetime of learning. Thanks to a generous $100,000 gift, Cent...
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Abstract: This study compared teacher’s preferences and implementation outcomes for two versions of a supplemental read-aloud curriculum that provides young children wi...
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Abstract: The acquisition of language skills is an important developmental task in early childhood. Research suggests that the language skills of young students are relat...
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Abstract: Leaders can support effective communication, manageable workloads, collaborative practices, and a sense of community by creating workplaces that reduce stress a...
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Abstract: The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) represents a comprehensive framework designed to address students’ diverse academic needs through evidence-based pr...
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Abstract: Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is common in Down syndrome (DS). There are no standardised screening/assessment tools for evaluating ASD in DS.
Meth...
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A STEM-tastic Adventure at Children’s Museum Houston
Houston area children were invited to spark curiosity, fuel discovery, and dive into the ultimate STEM celebration ...
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Abstract: Purpose To identify the virtual coaching practices used to support implementation and instructional decision-making in an evidence-based early reading program, ...
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Keisey Fumero, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Manager of Education Outreach, was invited to be the 2025 keynote speaker for the Week of the Young Child celebration host...
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At the sixth annual UTHealth Houston Cares student‑led health fair, Reach Out and Read Texas helped make the day not only healthier but more joyful for local families. ...
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Abstract: The Theory of Successful Intelligence defines intelligence as the integrated set of abilities and competencies in specific domains needed to attain success in l...
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Abstract: The Children’s Orientation and Amnesia Test (COAT) is a widely used tool for assessing post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) in children, yet no validated Spanish vers...
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Abstract: As scientists interested in fetal, infant, and toddler (FIT) neurodevelopment, our research questions often focus on how individual children differ in their neu...
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Each year, the President’s Awards for Leadership recognize exceptional leaders from across UTHealth Houston who demonstrate consistent leadership through service, compa...
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Abstract: Parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience a unique set of contextual challenges that may limit the effectiveness of traditional...
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Inspiring Children Through Hands-On Activities
In partnership with the Children’s Museum Houston, we hosted an in-person event where we unveiled findings from our lates...
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Since our inception, the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) has been spearheading and ev...
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Abstract: The ways that parents respond to their children’s initiations and guide their learning are associated with subsequent language development. Responsive parent...
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Abstract: This study explored the use of continuous quality improvement (CQI) approaches in the Texas quality rating and improvement system (QRIS), Texas Rising Star. CQI...
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The number of kids in Grades 1-8 with complex communication needs has doubled
CBC News, Canada’s publicly owned news and information service, interviewed Tricia Zuc...
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Tricia A. Zucker, PhD, was featured on an episode of PBS’s A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity. She participated in a panel that discussed the signs, challe...
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Michael A. Assel, PhD, was recognized as the 2024 Robbin Parrish Award honoree by The Parish School during their 16th Annual “Giving Voice to Children” Luncheon.
Sinc...
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Abstract: Introduction: Secondary injury from traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an inflammatory process, peaking 72-96 hours after trauma and manifesting as acute inflammat...
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Abstract: The unconsolidated motor and cognitive skills that are typical of the early childhood period place infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at risk for a variety of...
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KPRC 2 knows how important books and reading are for early childhood development.
Statistics show children who have access to books early in life do much better in school...
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After inviting Medical Champions across the state to apply and fielding eight amazing candidates, Reach Out and Read Texas is delighted to announce that Dr. Kim K. Ch...
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Book Abstract: This new reference provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual and developmental disabilities, incorporating multiple perspectives and disciplines (i...
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The Department of Pediatrics, within McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, announced a number of faculty promotions at th...
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Abstract: Young students at risk for reading difficulties are likely to have long-term reading difficulties if they are not provided with evidence-based, supplemental in...
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Abstract: Adult verbal input occurs frequently during parent–child interactions. However, few studies have considered how parent language varies across informal STEM (...
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Abstract: In this article, we develop an analytical approach for estimating brain connectivity networks that accounts for subject heterogeneity. More specifically, we co...
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Volunteers of all ages and abilities were invited to attend our second service event held in partnership with Generation Serve. Working together, we assembled 300 kits to...
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Autism in Young Children: Supporting Inclusion in the Early Childhood Classroom
The latest data show that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum ...
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The Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston celebrated the formal signing ceremony for its Texas School Ready-Registered Apprenticeship Program (TSR-RAP) on M...
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Reach Out and Read, a national nonprofit leading the charge in promoting early childhood literacy and healthy early relationships, has announced the investment of $350,00...
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Cathy Guttentag, associate professor and pediatric psychologist at the Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston, was consulted about controversies regarding AB...
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Abstract: Introduction: This article investigates an early STEM family engagement program offered during the pre-kindergarten (pre-k) year. Pre-k is an important junctu...
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Abstract: Background: Paediatric acquired brain injury is a life-long condition which impacts on all facets of the individual’s lived experience. The existing evidence...
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Abstract: Introduction: Early informal learning experiences are essential for sparking long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In a pri...
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Abstract: Children born preterm often face challenges with self-regulation during toddlerhood. This study examined the relationship between prematurity, supportive parent...
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Abstract: Emerging research has provided valuable insights into the structural characteristics of the bilingual brain from studies of bilingual adults; however, there is...
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Texas is home to over 3 million young children, yet not all children arrive at kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed. After 20 years, the Texas School Ready (...
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Abstract: Background: Both transactional and common etiological models have been proposed as explanations of why externalizing behavior problems (EBP) and internalizing ...
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After children experienced severe traumatic brain injury, the infusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells derived from the patient’s own bones led to less time spent in i...
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Researchers at UTHealth Houston have conducted a study examining the effects of bone marrow nuclear cell infusion in children with traumatic brain injuries, yielding posi...
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Abstract: The purpose of this systematic observation study was to improve our understanding of small-group reading instruction for kindergarten students at risk for read...
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Abstract: Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) infused after severe traumatic brain injury have shown promise for treating the injury. We evaluated their im...
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The Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston was named the recipient of the Innovations Award, presented by the National Workforce Registry Alliance, for their...
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UTHealth Houston President’s Excellence in Postdoctoral Research Award
The 2023 President’s Excellence in Postdoctoral Research Symposium recognized Sarah Surrain, Ph...
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Although autism is an extremely common disorder that affects millions of adults and children worldwide, there are still countless misconceptions surrounding the condition...
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Brain development is incredibly important in the first three years of a child’s life. Early learning experiences shape who children become, and in this critical phase o...
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This past Fall, the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) was awarded a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to develop a Texas School Ready Registered Apprent...
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The Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, is excited to announce that the Texas Early Childhood Professional Developm...
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A key CLI initiative, the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (TECPDS), has worked diligently to meet the professional development needs of those workin...
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