News & Updates
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News
Autism: Myths Versus Facts
April 20, 2022 | 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 UT Physicians Pediatric Center for Autism and Related Conditions, part of the Children’s Learning Institute. Continue reading.
Researchers Focus On Early Childhood Educators’ Social and Emotional Well-Being with $2.1 Million Grant
April 19, 2022 | The Sector | by Jason Roberts
Investigators at the Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston have been given a five-year, $2.1 million grant to test the impact of the Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE) program on the social and emotional well-being of early childhood educators in Head Start programs across three major cities in Texas. Read the full article.
April 13, 2022 | UTHealth Houston: News | by Jeannette Sanchez
Read the news release from the Office of Public Affairs.
The Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
April 14, 2022 | KHOU: Health Matters | by Rekha Muddaraj
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports one in 44 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder, which occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Dr. Cathy Guttentag, a psychologist with the Children’s Learning Institute and UT Physicians, evaluates children who have been referred for concerns about autism spectrum disorder. Watch her interview, recorded during Autism Awareness Month, to hear tips for parents and to learn about the importance of early intervention.
CLI Earns Grant to Spark Girls’ Interest in STEM
March 31, 2022 | McGovern Medical School: Scoop | by Roman Petrowski
The Children’s Learning Institute grant, “Breaking stereotypes through culturally relevant storytelling: Optimizing out-of-school time STEM experiences for elementary-age girls to strengthen their STEM interest pathways” is funded for nearly $2 million from the National Science Foundation.
To reduce inequities among females who are Latino and African American in STEM fields, the project will build important knowledge about how to support early interest in STEM by exposing girls to STEM role models and fostering a STEM identity. The project focuses on using a hands-on elementary afterschool program in schools where the majority of students are experiencing poverty. Read the full article here.
Starting Significant Studies Supporting Texas Teachers and Students
March 10, 2022 | Children’s Learning Institute | The Learning Leader
The past two years have been filled with constant change and uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic. Many routines had to be altered and some activities eliminated, affecting all our typical approaches. Research projects conducted by the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) were hit hard by the unexpected move to remote schooling beginning in 2020, then limited campus access during subsequent months, resulting in planned research activities to be delayed until schools resumed normal operations. With the return to in-person instruction and the reduction of COVID-19 related barriers, CLI is excited to be able to move ahead with some important research, including starting work related to three recently awarded grants. As a research-to-practice institute, cutting-edge research serves as the essential foundation of all future developments by CLI. Continue reading the article here.
CLI Receives Institute of Education Sciences Grant
March 10, 2022 | McGovern Medical School: Scoop | by Roman Petrowski
The Children’s Learning Institute at McGovern Medical School has received a new grant from the Institute of Education Sciences focused on improving outcomes in schools with a focus on how to best support teachers and parents of young children experiencing language difficulties.
“We are excited that this new research will help us understand how to best tailor a system of supports to match the needs of diverse preschoolers who are experiencing language difficulties,” said Tricia Zucker, PhD, Harriet and Joe Foster Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and co-director of CLI. Read the full article here.
A School for Victoria
February 27, 2022 | Victoria Advocate: School Matters | by Laura Prendergast
Opening a new early childhood campus in Victoria during the pandemic was a bold decision by both the Victoria Independent School District and the Children’s Learning Institute at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
After working diligently to get our new early childhood campus up and running in just six short months, the Children’s Learning Institute Early Education Center at F.W. Gross opened and welcomed children (grades PreK-3 through first grade) and their families. Continue reading to learn about family engagement, reception, and registration.
Changing Early Education in the Classroom from the Ground Up
September 30, 2021 | Children’s Learning Institute | The Learning Leader
Starting shortly after our announcement in February, we began hiring dedicated staff, processing student applications, getting supplies together, and updating the historic campus buildings to welcome students in Fall 2021—all accomplished during the ongoing pandemic. A familiar landmark, the campus was named for Frederick W. Gross, a 19th century education pioneer in Victoria, and CLI is honored to carry forward this legacy through the CLI EEC at F.W. Gross. Read the piece here.
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 29, 2021 | Children’s Learning Institute | by Doris Maria Cárdenas
Educational freedom, particularly among women, has come with a price en mi familia. As the granddaughter of a migrant worker who walked with Chavez in California, I feel a special commitment to social justice and ensuring that children, regardless of their country of birth, have an opportunity to thrive in this ever-changing global environment. I learned early on that education is the one thing no one can take from you. It offers you infinite opportunities of the mind and soul. I want to share with you who I am, where I came from, and how I became an educational advocate and leader through initiative, motivation, and struggle. Read the piece here.
Accelerating Early Language to Improve Later Reading Comprehension
August 24, 2021 | Scholastic EDU | by Tricia A. Zucker, Ph.D.
Dr. Tricia Zucker explores the urgent need to invest in early learners’ language and literacy skills, which is a foundational entry point for building reading comprehension. As early as pre-kindergarten children are able to use oral language to build foundational skills necessary for later reading comprehension. These early language skills give children a strong start on their journeys as lifelong, avid readers. Read the piece here.
Helping Students with Math Skills after COVID-19 Pandemic
August 16, 2021 | Fox 26 In Focus | Report by Melissa Wilson
Parents can help children understand math concepts by routinely doing math at home–for fun! Counting, grouping, and comparing are ways to support math development during everyday routines, and are some of the earliest foundational skills for math success. Learn more by watching the interview.
Early Learning Center Opens at F.W. Gross Campus
August 4, 2021 | Victoria Advocate | by Samantha Douty
The Children’s Learning Institute Early Education Center at F.W. Gross officially opened with the snip of a large pair of scissors. Children’s Learning Institute and Victoria school district officials showcased their newest partnership project during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. The center will cater to children who are 3 years old through first grade, and classes will start later this month. Read the full published piece here.
18 Years of Improving Child Outcomes with TSR Comprehensive
July 2021 | Children’s Learning Institute | The Learning Leader
Every two years, CLI solicits applications from local and regional organizations that would like to have a positive impact on the school readiness of their communities by implementing the Texas School Ready (TSR) Comprehensive program. Thus far, the TSR Comprehensive program has served more than 550,000 children with close to 1,500 teachers participating each year. In June 2021, CLI announced the 24 TSR Comprehensive Lead Agents, local and regional organizations selected to implement TSR Comprehensive, for 2021-2023. Read more.
Updates
Dr. Zucker to Serve as NHSA Opening Keynote Speaker
April 14, 2022
The 49th annual National Head Start Conference, held at the Baltimore Convention Center, will offically begin with an opening keynote presentation by Dr. Tricia Zucker on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Addressing an expected audience of over 3,000 attendees, Dr. Zucker will share how purposeful serve-and-return conversation helps children develop the oral language, vocabulary, and social-emotional skills they need to thrive in a positive classroom environment. See the event’s speaker announcement.
Farewell from Dr. Williamson
March 3, 2022
Dr. W. Daniel Williamson retired as of February 28, 2022. His long standing excellence of care will be missed by all. The Dan L Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic will strive to continue to perform with the same excellence that has been fostered by Dr. Williamson over all of these years. His leadership, guidance, vast experience and knowledge will be greatly missed. Read his farewell message to patients, friends, and colleagues.
Events
Fall Lunch & Learn
October 12, 2022 | United Way of Greater Houston
Topic to be determined. Watch here for more information in the future.
Spring Lunch & Learn
May 11, 2022 | United Way of Greater Houston
Topic Supporting Social Emotional Development Throughout the School Year
Join us to learn why a focus on social emotional development is especially vital during these changing times. Learn specific ways for integrating social and emotional learning in early childhood classrooms and where to access free, research-based lessons.
The CIRCLE Pre-K Curriculum supports comprehensive skill development across all prekindergarten learning domains, while uniquely providing essential instruction in the critical area of children’s social and emotional growth. When children learn in an environment of high stress or unpredictability, they can struggle to develop a strong foundation of social and emotional skills. To address this issue, CLI offers a collection of sequenced social emotional lessons that can be used throughout the year, as a supplement to your school’s programming, and to engage your families. Experience the lessons for yourself at this interactive and informative session.
Spring Virtual Lunch & Learn
April 20, 2022 | Zoom event
Teaching Together: Family Engagement that Empowers Diverse Learners
This Lunch & Learn session focused on family engagement in early childhood grades of preschool to first grade. Empowering families as partners in their children’s education support team opens opportunities for schools and families to work together to extend learning to the home environment.
During this session, we shared recent research on evidence-based practices for schools and strategies that have been shown to positively impact partnerships between schools and families. Tricia Zucker, PhD, Co-Director of CLI, led this session with fellow researcher, Keisey Fumero, PhD, SLP to discuss some of CLI’s recent family engagement research, known as Teaching Together, and resources that can be freely accessed on the CLI Engage platform. We also shared how schools can access resources and participate in our latest family engagement study to continue expanding this important field of research.
