The statistics are startling. The number of 13-year-olds who read for fun most days has halved in a decade. It is now just 14 percent, according to the 2022-2023 National Assessment of Educational Progress.
News & Updates
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News
CLI Engage Turns 10
February 2025 | The Learning Leader | by the Children’s Learning Institute
When CLI set out to design CLI Engage, it was crucial to incorporate what research has shown to be effective in program improvement models. The vision was to not only collect data but also weave its narratives with practical tools. This provides highly targeted support to enhance the quality of educational experiences in a diverse array of early learning environments. Continue reading.
Number of London-area kids who need speech help in kindergarten has tripled, report says
January 8, 2025 | CBC News | by Kate Dubinski
The Canadian Thames Valley District School Board has been observing a concerning trend in schools and hearing about increasing needs from families. In the article, Dr. Tricia Zucker, CLI co-director, confirms the trend mirrors what experts in other parts of the world have seen.
Succeeding with Language-Based Learning Disabilities
November 2, 2024 | PBS | A World of Difference
Tricia A. Zucker, PhD, was featured on the latest episode of PBS’ A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity. Dr. Zucker participated in a panel of experts that discussed the signs, challenges, and solutions for managing language-based learning disabilities. Watch the episode to discover how a New Jersey private school tackled language-based learning disabilities with multisensory methods.
Reach Out and Read, bridging literacy gap with free books at wellness exams
September 26, 2024 | KPRC | by Sofia Ojeda
Statistics show children who have access to books early in life do much better in school later on. But statistics also show that Latino and Black children have fewer books in the home and access to reading than their Asian and White counterparts. Continue reading.
Breaking Stereotypes through Culturally Relevant Storytelling – Optimizing Out-of-school Time STEM Experiences for Elementary-Age Girls to Strengthen their STEM Interest Pathways
July 17, 2024 | REVISE | Equity Project Spotlight
Cheryl McCallum, Tiffany Espinosa, and Tricia Zucker answer project-related questions from the Reimagining Equity and Values in Informal STEM Education Center, a resource center for the National Science Foundation. In this Equity Project Spotlight, participants provided insights into the inspiration for the project, building trust with community members, and incorporating feedback from participants.
CLI formally establishes TSR-RAP apprenticeship
April 9, 2024 | McGovern Medical School: Scoop
The Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston celebrated the formal signing ceremony for its Texas School Ready-Registered Apprenticeship Program (TSR-RAP) on March 20. The ceremony, which included representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor and local and regional partners, formally establishes TSR-RAP as the state’s newest registered apprenticeship program supporting career advancement for teachers working with younger children. Continue reading to learn about this new high-quality career pathway.
Reach Out and Read Texas Receives $25,000 Donation from MacKenzie Scott
April 5, 2024 | KDAF CW33 | by Abbey Bowling
Reach Out and Read, a national nonprofit leading the charge in promoting early childhood literacy and healthy early relationships, has announced the investment of $350,000 into communities nationwide. Read more to learn about the $25,000 donation for the program in Texas.
What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
Autism therapy center relocates Magnolia location to a 5,000 square-foot facility
March 28, 2024 | The Courier of Montgomery County | by Michael Garcia
Cathy Guttentag, associate professor and pediatric psychologist at the Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston, was consulted about controversies regarding ABA therapy. In the article, she addresses issues raised by those with negative past experiences and afirms changes in ABA practices.
Bone marrow nuclear cell infusion can ‘improve quality of life for children and adolescents’
January 22, 2024 | Patient Daily | Pharmaceuticals
Researchers at UTHealth Houston have conducted a study examining the effects of bone marrow nuclear cell infusion in children with traumatic brain injuries, yielding positive results. Read the article to hear how our findings give hope regarding the potential of this therapy to reduce problems and improve quality of life.
Children’s book program expands to neurodevelopmental clinic
December 13, 2023 | UT Physicians | by Vicki Powers
Young patients and their families at a UTHealth Houston subspecialty clinic will soon experience the benefits of Reach Out and Read Texas, which is part of a national program that incorporates books into pediatric care for children from 6 months to 5 years old. It’s a win-win that helps not only the families at Dan L Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic at The Children’s Learning Institute but also the physicians who can use the interaction as a natural assessment of skills. Read the full article.
Children’s Learning Institute earns Innovation Award
November 16, 2023 | Inside UTHealth Houston | by David Fanucchi
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 exceptional work and continued expansion of the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (TECPDS). Continue reading.
Preemie parents: CLI seeks volunteers for research study
November 10, 2023 | Inside UTHealth Houston
The Children’s Learning Institute is seeking to learn more about children’s language development, and needs volunteers for a research study on the unique patterns of English/Spanish development in toddlers born prematurely. Read more about this study.
Why attachment parenting sparks controversy among child psychologists
October 24, 2023 | BabyCenter | Written by Maria Masters | Medically reviewed by Cara Goodwin, PhD
The proponents of attachment parenting say that quickly responding to your baby’s needs helps build a secure bond. In theory, there’s a lot to like about attachment parenting and its emphasis on closeness – but in practice, the demands it places on parents can grow exhausting and unrealistic when practiced to an extreme. Read the full article.
Gentle parenting is becoming the go-to parenting style among influencer moms
October 23, 2023 | BabyCenter | Written by Maria Masters | Medically reviewed by Cara Goodwin, PhD
The parenting style emphasizes respect and empathy – but it’s harder than it sounds. In many ways, gentle parenting is like the Goldilocks of parenting approaches. Learn more about this trending parenting style from CLI’s Cathy Guttentag, PhD, and the University of Virginia’s Jessie Stern, PhD.
Are you a helicopter parent? Here’s how to tell
October 16, 2023 | BabyCenter | Written by Maria Masters | Medically reviewed by Cara Goodwin, PhD
There’s nothing wrong with wanting the best for your child. But if you’re constantly monitoring their every move, it may be time to take a step back. Read the article to learn more and hear expert advice from Cathy Guttentag, PhD, associate professor at CLI, and Whitney Casares, MD, pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Reach Out and Read: Advancing child wellness through literacy
September 12, 2023 | UT Physicians | by G. Ashley Johnson
Participating UT Physicians clinics are providing new books during well-child exams, both supporting assessments and cultivating a child’s interest in reading. The effort is made possible through a partnership with Reach Out and Read Texas, which is part of the Children’s Learning Institute. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of this program.
Developmental Impact of Screen Time
August 22, 2023 | The National Desk | by Dee Dee Gatton
New research finds a connection between the amount of screen time young children are exposed to and developmental delays. The National Desk interviewed Tricia Zucker, PhD and co-director of CLI, for her advice on counteracting this trend. She suggests that parents set small achievable goals of even a few minutes a day to play with their child and interact with toys. Simple interactions can build relationships and support critical cognitive development. Watch the national news segment.
Runners and Readers Unite
August 8, 2023 | UT Physicians | by Melissa McDonald
To showcase the breadth of UTHealth Houston and the university’s community initiatives, Reach Out and Read Texas, a literacy enrichment program led by the Children’s Learning Institute at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, is listed as a recipient for donations on the Houston Half Marathon & 10K’s website. This opportunity is part of the UTHealth Houston title sponsorship for the Houston Half later this fall. Read more here.
2023’s States with the Best & Worst Early Education Systems
August 1, 2023 | WalletHub | by Adam McCann
While good elementary schools, high schools and colleges are important factors for parents to consider when choosing where to settle down, the availability of quality pre-K education is just as crucial. Children enrolled in early education programs are more likely to be academically prepared for future grades, as well as have higher graduation rates and higher earning potential than those who are not enrolled, according to the National Education Association. Read the full article.
Alferma Giles, PhD, provided answers to questions about early education systems as part of a panel of experts.
Captain Underpants v. Roblox: Here’s how to get kids reading again
July 24, 2023 | The Washington Post | by Alyssa Rosenberg
Restoring joy in reading will require commitment from parents — and a renewed trust in teachers, in librarians and in kids themselves. Continue reading.
Mike Miles says HISD schools will teach the ‘science of reading.’ Here’s what that means.
July 17, 2023 | Houston Chronicle | by Sam González Kelly
Science of reading-based instruction focuses on two main components — decoding, which teaches children the relationship between letters and sounds, and language comprehension, which teaches students what those sounds mean. As a research expert in the science of reading, Tricia Zucker, PhD, was interviewed to further explain the changes and their possible impact. Read the article.
Surrain Wins NIH Pathway to Independence Award
June 7, 2023 | McGovern Medical School: Scoop | by Roman Petrowski
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Sarah Surrain, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow, with the K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award. Providing funding for multiple years of additional training and research support, this award enables Surrain to devote herself to equity-focused research serving emergent bilingual children and their families. Learn about her plans.
Read 20 Minutes a Day: How to Keep Children Intellectually Active During the Summer
June 4, 2023 | Univision 45 Houston
Keisey Fumero, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow and bilingual instructional coach, was interviewed by the local Univision affiliate about the importance of summer reading and learning for young children. Read more and watch the interview.
Early Identification Crucial in Autism Outcomes
May 10, 2023 | UT Physicians | by Simone Sonnier
Autism in children can be diagnosed as early as 12 months of age by a specially trained clinician. Although a chronic diagnosis such as this one can seem overwhelming for parents, its timing is crucial to ensuring a happy and fulfilling life for the child. Read the article.
Hispanics Are More Likely to Have Children with Autism
April 30, 2023 | Univision 45 Houston
Gabriel Anzueto, MD, medical director Dan L Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic, was interviewed by the local Univision affiliate about the importance of knowing the symptoms and treatments for autism. Read more and watch the interview.
Autism: Myths Versus Facts
Updated April 7, 2023 | UT Physicians | by Simone Sonnier
Although autism is an extremely common disorder that affects millions of adults and children worldwide, there are still countless misconceptions surrounding the condition and its origin.
“In the age of the internet and social media where we can access so much information, and it all looks very official, we have to make sure that the sources of information we follow are reliable and based on current medical science,” explained Cathy L. Guttentag, PhD, clinical child psychologist with Dan L Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic at the Children’s Learning Institute. Continue reading.
Competency Frameworks for Infant and Toddler Teachers and Caregivers in Texas
February 2023 | OPRE Report | by Mathematica
This profile provides an overview of the Circle Infant & Toddler Teacher Competencies, a competency framework developed in Texas to advance early childhood education by outlining the teacher and caregiver practices and behaviors that best promote infant and toddler development. Continue reading.
Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System Collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
January 2023 | Children’s Learning Institute | by the Children’s Learning Institute
The Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston is excited to announce that the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (TECPDS) has collaborated with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (AgriLife) to transfer training certificates taken on their online training platform into TECPDS users accounts. Continue reading.
Texas School Ready Awarded Grant to Develop Registered Apprenticeship Model
January 2023 | Children’s Learning Institute | by the Children’s Learning Institute
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 Apprenticeship Model (RAP). Apprenticeships help employers and job seekers by training teachers for jobs with diverse career paths and promising futures. Apprentices are full-time, paid employees who earn while they learn. Continue reading.
Updates
Fumero Presents Colorful Keynote Speech
February 1o, 2025
Keisey Fumero, PhD, provided the keynote presentation at Spring Independent School District’s Week of the Young Child celebration. View image from this fun-filled week-long celebration and learn more about her association with this district partner.
Crawford Wins President’s Award for Leadership
February 26, 2025
April Crawford, PhD, co-director of the Children’s Learning Institute, was named the Outstanding Faculty winner at the 2024 STAR Awards reception this week. Each year, the President’s Awards for Leadership recognize exceptional leaders from across UTHealth Houston who demonstrate consistent leadership through service, compassion, and ethical standards. Learn more about her recognition and see photos from the celebration.
Assel Receives Robbin Parish Award
October 2, 2024
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. Learn more about this event and view pictures from the occasion.
Reach Out and Read New Leader
September 16, 2024
Announcement by Reach Out and Read Texas that Dr. Kim K. Cheung of UTHealth Houston has been selected as State Medical Director.
Three Faculty Promotions
August 23, 2024
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 the beginning of the new fiscal year. Congratulations to all newly promoted faculty members for achieving excellence and taking your career—and the department—to the next level. The Children’s Learning Institute is especially proud to recognize the well-deserved advancement of April Crawford, PhD, Dana DeMaster, PhD, and Yoonkyung Oh, PhD.
Surrain Selected for First-Place Prize
UTHealth Houston President’s Excellence in Postdoctoral Research Award
August 17, 2023
The 2023 President’s Excellence in Postdoctoral Research Symposium recognized Sarah Surrain, PhD, for her award-winning submission and presentation. Read more about this annual event, hosted by the Postdoctoral Association.
Mesa Moves from Fellow to Faculty
July 1, 2023
Michael P. Mesa, PhD, has transitioned to the role of Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Learning Institute after completing his IES-funded postdoctoral fellowship. In his new capacity, he will play a pivotal role in supporting the Texas School Ready program while continuing to make significant contributions to ongoing research projects and more.
Events
Lunch & Learn: Fall 2025
October 1, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | United Way of Greater Houston
Wondrous Words: Transforming Read-Alouds into Meaningful Learning Moments
Turning read-alouds into moments to learn wonderous words! This interactive session explored how scripted and adaptive curricula shape language and literacy instruction. Attendees discovered how different curriculum approaches influence instructional quality and learned how to make intentional choices that support deeper student learning.
View the presentation for practical strategies that make every read-aloud impactful!
STEM-tastic!
May 10, 2025 | 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Children’s Museum Houston
A Day of Explorations that Inspire Young Scientists
The ultimate STEM celebration! This high-energy event marked the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of a national network of NSF STEM Day events and activities. Visit our event page for more details.
Lunch & Learn: Winter 2025
February 19, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | United Way of Greater Houston
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 latest STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) study. We also introduced free Afterschool STEM programs including A’STEAM activities provided by the museum. These free materials offer a unique opportunity to utilize innovative research and hands-on resources that promise to shape the future of STEM.
Family and Friends Volunteer Day
April 20, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Cooley University Life Center
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 be distributed to schools participating in CLI’s Accelerated Early Reading Outcomes (AERO) program.
Lunch & Learn: Spring 2024
April 10, 2024 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | United Way of Greater Houston
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 Disorder (ASD), and their developmental differences often begin during the early years.
At this session, CLI faculty familiarized participants with what autism is, what early signs you might see in young children, and how to support children in your classrooms with diagnosed or suspected ASD. Workforce Solutions – Early Education Quality Services staff shared resources available to Gulf Coast region child care programs to support children with special needs.
Download a copy of the Infant & Toddler Developmental Checklists provided at this event.
Lunch & Learn: Fall 2023
October 4, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | United Way of Greater Houston and Zoom
Small Group Reading & Tutoring Interventions: The Science of Reading and Tools to Elevate Your Program!
At our October Lunch & Learn, attendees got an exclusive look behind the CLI curtain and heard from our research experts as they discussed some critical aspects of the science of reading and why it’s so important. Then, our CLI Solutions Group team introduced the new Accelerated Early Reading Outcomes (AERO) Curriculum, a resource for individual and small-group reading interventions and tutoring.
Access presentation resources and free AERO resources.
Lunch & Learn: Spring 2023
April 5, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | United Way of Greater Houston and Zoom
Teaching Together: Supporting Families with STEM at Home
Attendees at our Spring Lunch & Learn gained essential knowledge about improving and guiding STEM practices at home in 2023! The shared information will help increase parents’/caregivers’ self-perception and ability to serve as their child’s first teacher by supporting learning and inquiry conversations during daily routines and informal STEM activities.
Lunch & Learn: Winter 2023
February 1, 2023 | United Way of Greater Houston and Zoom
A Peek Inside Play with Me: Supporting Quality Improvement in Infant and Toddler Classrooms
CLI hosted a free educational lunch and learn focusing on improving classroom and teaching practices for infants and toddlers. Attendees gained crucial knowledge that will improve their infant and toddler classrooms and teaching practices.