Our Research
We use experimental and observational methods to understand how screen media shapes children's learning, development, and well-being from infancy through middle childhood.
Research Themes
Screen Media & Learning
We examine how educational content delivered via television, tablets, and smartphones supports — or hinders — early learning. Our work explores the "video deficit effect" and what instructional features help children transfer knowledge from screens to the real world.
Developmental Psychology
We track how cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional milestones unfold across the first years of life in today's media-saturated environment, with a focus on ages 0–8.
Digital Literacy
How do young children come to understand the difference between screens and reality? We study the development of media literacy skills and what parents and educators can do to support them.
Parent–Child Interaction
Co-viewing and joint media engagement can transform passive screen time into rich learning opportunities. We study how parental mediation strategies shape children's media use and development.
Current Projects
Toddler Tablet Interaction Study
Examining how 2–4-year-olds solve problems on touchscreens compared to physical objects, and the role of parental scaffolding.
Background Media & Language
A longitudinal study tracking vocabulary development in 12–30-month-olds in households with varying levels of background television.
Parent Mediation Styles & Outcomes
Survey and observational study linking parent co-viewing strategies to children's media literacy and self-regulation at ages 4–6.
Our Methods
We combine experimental, observational, and longitudinal approaches to study children in naturalistic and controlled settings.