Dissemination

Recent Articles

This page provides links to recent articles. Listings are in two categories: scholarly articles published by Center researchers, and news articles quoting or citing Center researchers. (Note: some publications are available by subscription only. Where available, we provide a link to the text described below.)

Articles by Center Researchers

Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Ph.D.

Raikes HH, Raikes HA (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), Pan BA (Harvard), Luze G (Iowa State University), Tamis-LeMonda CS, Rodriguez ET (New York University), Brooks-Gunn J (Columbia University), Constantine J and Tarullo LB (Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.) (2006) Mother-child bookreading in low-income families: Correlates and outcomes during the first three years of life. Child Development, Vol. 77, No. 4, 924-953

McCormick MC, Brooks-Gunn J, Buka SL, Goldman J, Yu J, Salganik M, Scott DT, Bennett FC, Kay LL, Bernbaum JC, Bauer CR, Martin C, Woods ER, Martin A and Casey PH (2006) Early Intervention in Low Birth Weight Premature Infants: Results at Age 18 Years: The Infant Health and Development Program. Pediatrics, 117(3): 771-780

Gibson-Davis, C.M. & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2006) Couples' Immigration Status and Ethnicity as Determinants of Breastfeeding. American Journal of Public Health. Vol. 96, No. 4 (pp. 641-646) 

Hill, J.L., Waldfogel, J.; Brooks-Gunn, J; Han, W. (2005) Maternal Employment and Child Development: A Fresh Look Using Newer Methods. Developmental Psychology 41 (6), 833-850.

Leventhal, T., Fauth, R.C., Brooks-Gunn, J. (2005) Neighborhood Poverty and Public Policy: A 5-Year Follow-Up of Children's Outcomes in the New York City Moving to Opportunity Demonstration Project ," Developmental Psychology 41 (6), 993-952.

Brooks-Gunn, J. (2005). Cause for Celebration? Sustained Effects of Early Childhood Education in NHSA Dialog, 8, No. 1, pp. 1-4.

Sharon Lynn Kagan, Ed.D.

Kagan, S.L., Kauerz, K., Tarrant, K. (2007). The early care and education teaching workforce at the fulcrum: An agenda for reform. New York: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Weissbourd, B. (2007). Family support: A force for change. In J. L. Aber, S. J. Bishop-Josef, S. M. Jones, K. T. McLearn, & D. A. Phillips (Eds.), Child development and social policy: Knowledge for action (pp. 249-264). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Kagan, S. L., Carroll, J., Comer, J., & Scott-Little, C. (2006). Alignment: A missing link in early childhood transitions? Young Children , 61 (5), 26-32.

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2006). Making the most of kindergarten: Trends and policy issues. In D. Gullo (Ed.), Teaching and learning in the kindergarten year (pp. 161-170). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2006). Preschool programs: Effective curricula. In R. E. Tremblay, R. G. Barr, & R. DeV. Peters (Eds.), Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development [online]. Montreal, Quebec: Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development. Available: http://www.excellence-earlychil dhood.ca/documents/Kagan -KauerzANGxp.pdf .

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., & Frelow, V. (2006). Conceptualization of readiness and the content of early learning standards: The intersection of policy and research? Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 21, 153-173.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., & Frelow, V. S. (2006). State standards for children's learning: What do they mean for child care providers? Child Care Information Exchange, 168 , 27-34.

Kagan, S. L., & Lowenstein, A. (2005). Parenting education: Cultural accelerator or reflector? In L. Harrison & J. Kagan (Eds.), Developing cultures: Essays on cultural change . Oxford, UK: Routledge Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Britto, P. R. (2005). Going global with indicators of child development. UNICEF Final Report. New York, NY: UNICEF.

Kristie Kauerz, MA

Kauerz, K. (2006) Ladders of Learning: Fighting Fade-Out by Advancing PK-3 Alignment Washington DC: New America Foundation.

Jodie Roth, Ph.D.

Roth, J. (2006) Next Steps: Considering Patters of Participation, Social Policy Report, Society for Research in Child Development, Vol. XX, No. IV (pg. 20) http://www.srcd.org/press/mahoney.pdf

Articles Quoting or Citing Center Researchers

The National Center for Children and Families and our staff are frequently cited in the media on a wide range of child development and policy issues. Following are highlights of media activity.

March 2008

TC Today (Spring 2008): "Team Pre-K," by Jonathan Sapers. Article in the Teachers College magazine discussing NCCF co-directors, Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn and Dr. Sharon Lynn Kagan, dubbed early childhood's "dynamic duo".

NPR: On Point (March 10, 2008): "Younger (and Younger) Beauty Consumers." Dr. Brooks-Gunn discusses marketing to younger girls and the effects of marketing on children's development on NPR's On Point, with guest host Jane Clayson.

The Associated Press as seen in the Northwest Herald (March 3, 2008): "Toys Going Virtual to Grab Kids’ Attention," by Hillary Rhodes.  Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn discusses children exploring virtual worlds.

February 2008

ABCNews.com (February 27, 2008): " Is Angelina Driven to Be a Compulsive Mother?," by Susan Donaldson James.  Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn discusses how children fare developmentally when they come from large families. 

Newsweek (February 25, 2008): "Campus Sexperts," by Jennie Yabroff.  Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn comments on the popularity of sex publications on college campuses despite a decline in student sexual activity.

Science Magazine (February 22, 2008): "AAAS ANNUAL MEETING: Tracking and Tackling Deprivation's Toll," by Yudhijit Bhattacharjee. Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn quoted about how poverty affects children in an article highlighting the Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting.

CBSNews.com (February 19, 2008): "Good Parenting Raises Kids' Mental Skills, " by Martin Downs. Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn discusses how good parenting and a preschool education raises kids' mental skills. 

The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet (FOX) (February 12, 2008): "Genetic Breakthrough?" Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn was interviewed about designer babies—children conceived with advanced reproductive technologies that allow parents to modify or choose specific characteristics of their child. Brooks-Gunn discussed why creating "the perfect baby" using DNA is causing controversy, and the impact this can have on these children. The program was broadcasted live from the FOX studios in New York.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (February 10, 2008): "Picking the Perfect Kindergarten Drives Many Parents Up the Wall," by Paul Nyhan. Dr. Sharon Lynn Kagan comments on the things parents should look for when picking the perfect kindergarten.

December 2007

MSN.com Lifestyle (December 2007): "Let's Talk about Sex," by Kristen Kennedy. Senior Research Scientist Dr. Anne Martin discusses how parents can impact their children's thoughts and actions on sex and pregnancy.

Inside (Winter 2007): "Getting Ready for Pre-K and Later Life." Article discussing the school readiness study, co-authored by Dr. Brooks-Gunn, Pamela Klebanov and others.

November 2007

Education Week (Nov. 28, 2007):  "Strong English Seen as Key to Immigrants’ School Success," by Mary Ann Zehr.  Dr. Brooks-Gunn discusses immigrants and some of the struggles they face in school success.  (Subscription or registration required.)

Time Magazine (Nov 21, 2007): "Tutors for Toddlers," by Pamela Paul.  Article discussing tutors for toddlers and the school readiness findings study, co-authored by Dr. Brooks-Gunn, Pamela Klebanov and others. 

New York Times (Nov 13, 2007): "Bad Behavior Does Not Doom Pupils, Studies Say," by Benedict Carey.  Front page article discussing a new report, School Readiness and Later Achievement, co-authored by Dr. Brooks-Gunn, Pamela Klebanov (NCCF research scientist), and several others.  We are especially excited that this report received front page exposure!

Newsweek (Nov. 12, 2007): "Who Needs Preschool?" Dr. Kagan discusses what parents and caregivers should look for when evaluating pre-school environments.

Inside (November 2007): "National Task Force Chaired by TC's Kagan Issues New Recommendations on Pre-K Policy." Article in the Teachers College newsletter discussing the Early Childhood Accountability Task Force and report, chaired by Dr. Kagan. 

The Washington Post (Nov. 11, 2007): "Study Debunks Theory On Teen Sex, Delinquency," by Rick Weiss.  Dr. Brooks-Gunn quoted in an article discussing whether early sexual debut leads to delinquency. 

NPR: On Point (Nov. 1, 2007): "No 3-Year-Old Left Behind." Dr. Brooks-Gunn discusses the push for universal pre-kindergarten education on NPR's On Point, hosted by Tom Ashbrook. 

October 2007

Education Next (Fall 2007): "All Over the Map: Explaining educational outcomes of the Moving to Opportunity Program," by Stefanie Deluca.  References the research findings of the Moving to Opportunity study worked on by Dr. Brooks-Gunn and several other researchers.

Newsday (Oct. 16, 2007):  "Society Can Curb Childhood Obesity." Dr. Brooks-Gunn and Dr. Anne Martin, senior research scientist, discuss society’s responsibility for childhood obesity in an op-ed article. 

MSNBC.com (Oct. 8, 2007):  "Hipster Parents Want Pop Tots," by Victoria Clayton. Dr. Brooks-Gunn discusses hipster parents and how this cultural trend affects child development.

September 2007

Star-Telegram (Sept. 30, 2007):  "Poor Families Grasp for Calm Amid the Chaos." Dr. Annie Georges, NCCF senior research scientist, discusses how parental stress, especially with regards to financial stability, can affect children's mental health. 

Education Week (Sept. 26, 2007):  "Task Force Offers Guidance on Assessment of Preschool Programs," by Linda Jacobson. Dr. Kagan discusses the Early Childhood Accountability Task Force and report.   (Subscription or registration required.)

Pre[k]now (Sept. 12, 2007): "Building Pre-K Accountability." Dr. Kagan participates in a live webcast discussing findings from the Early Childhood Accountability Task Force study of early education evaluation and assessment systems. 

Abcnews.com (Sept. 6, 2007): "New-Age Sex Ed: Teens Borrow Real Kids," by Emily Friedman. Dr. Brooks-Gunn comments on reality TV as educational in reference to a new show, "The Baby Borrowers," which gives young couples the opportunity to experience parenthood by supplying them with real babies.

August 2007

Times Herald Record (Aug. 26, 2007):  "A Community Speaks," by Steve Israel. Dr. Brooks-Gunn cited as an expert source on teen sexuality.

The Washington Post (Aug. 14, 2007): "Neighborhoods' Effect On Grades Challenged," by Jay Mathews. Dr. Brooks-Gunn is mentioned as part of the Moving to Opportunity research study.

July 2007

Parents Magazine (July 2007): "It's Not My Fault," by Sally Marshall. Dr. Brooks-Gunn talks about children accepting blame and taking responsibility for their actions.

May 2007

The New York Times (May 21, 2007): "2 Candidates to Roll Out Domestic Proposals," by Patrick Healy and Michael Cooper. Dr. Brooks-Gunn comments on Hillary Clinton's domestic policy proposal for universal pre-kindergarten.

March 2007

ABCNews.com (March 14, 2007): "States Looking to Pre-K to Help Kids," by Nancy Zuckerbrod. Dr. Kagan speaks about states investing in pre-kindergarten to help kids.

January 2007

ABCNews.com (January 11, 2007): "New-Age Playgrounds Rule, as Long as the Kids Are in Charge," by Susan Donaldson James. Dr. Brooks-Gunn discusses how children can benefit from playground playtime in reference to new-age public parks in New York City.

November 2006

"What It Takes to Make a Student," by Paul Tough of The New York Times (subscription required for this article), Nov. 26, 2006, on how poverty, race, and class in America impacts the achievement gap in education. NCCF Co-Director Jeanne Brooks-Gunn cited.

July 2006

"Gates Cash Will Back New Plan to Help Youngest Kids Thrive: $9 Million Program Signals Foundation's Move into Early Education," by Paul Nyhan of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, on the announcement that the Gates Foundation launched a public-private partnership to focus on early care and education in the Seattle, WA area, incorporating a policy focus. NCCF C0-Director Sharon Lynn Kagan quoted.

June 2006

"Early Intervention Benefits Heavier Low Birth-Weight Babies Longer," by Bridget Murray-Law of the APA Monitor, in an article discussing the results of the Infant Health and Development Project - 18-Year-Follow-Up. NCCF Co-Director Jeanne Brooks-Gunn quoted.

"From Free Love to Safe Sex," by Susan Brink of the Los Angeles Times, in an article looking at how AIDS was perceived 25 years earlier, to perceptions about sex among today's teenagers. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn quoted (free newspaper registration required).

May 2006

"Class Quality is Sticking Point," by Lisa Michals of The State (South Carolina), discussing the expansion of kindergarten to more of the state's four-year-olds, and the challenges in providing high-quality learning. NCCF Co-Director Sharon Lynn Kagan quoted.

"An Earlier Start," by Linda Jacobson of Education Week, on how prekindergarten is becoming part of an elementary school in the growing number of districts that treat the pre-K3 years as a distinct learning period. NCCF graduate fellow Kristie Kauerz cited.

April 2006

"Little Miss Highness," by Sally Marshall of Parenting magazine, discussing why young girls often like to identify with princesses. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn quoted.

March 2006

"Parents Gain the Skills to Teach Their Toddlers," by Susan Snyder of the Philadelphia Inquirer, about the city's district-sponsored, in-home program to teach low-income parents how they can help their preschoolers become ready for school. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn quoted.

February 2006

"Parents Study Schools for Soon-to-be-Kindergartners," by Paul Nyhan of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter Paul Nyhan, on what parents should consider in the selection of a kindergarten for their children; Sharon Lynn Kagan interviewed (free newspaper registration required).

January 2006

"Housing Experiment for Poor Found to Lack School Payoff," by Debra Viadero of Education Week , published January 25, 2006, discussing the Moving to Opportunity Housing project. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn quoted.

November 2005

"Three New Studies Assess Effects of Child Care," by Tamar Lewin of The New York Times , published November 1, 2005. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn quoted (subscription required to access full article).