Leading cutting-edge research to transform the lives of young children and the adults who interact with them.
The latest news, achievements, and stories from across the Institute.
Dr. Julie Thompson has been awarded new funding to provide training to preschool and elementary school teachers, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals on evidence-based practices that promote the success of…
Read update : Dr. Julie Thompson Awarded $400,000 in THECB Funding
Dr. Julie Thompson has been awarded new funding to provide training to preschool and elementary school teachers, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals on evidence-based practices that promote the success of children with autism in their learning. Since 2020, Project TAPP has trained 2,221 teachers and paraprofessionals across 258 Texas school districts and 9 of Texas’s 20 regional Education Service Centers, reaching 13,149 children with autism. The new Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) award provides $400,000 for 2026–2028, allowing the team to train an additional 750 practitioners and teach 3,000 more children.
Dr. Margaret Quinn has been selected for the 2026 CEHD Outstanding New Faculty Award. This award is given to faculty member who has made significant professional contributions to CEHD programs…
Read update : 2026 CEHD Outstanding New Faculty Award
Dr. Margaret Quinn has been selected for the 2026 CEHD Outstanding New Faculty Award. This award is given to faculty member who has made significant professional contributions to CEHD programs and departmental activities. Dr. Quinn is an Associate Professor in the department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture and a core faculty member in the TAMU Institute for Early Childhood.
The SEC Early Childhood Summit took place on September 22, 2026. This year's theme, Educator Well-Being Matters: Strengthening the Early Childhood Workforce, brought together educators, administrators, researchers, students, and community…
Read update : SEC Early Childhood Summit
The SEC Early Childhood Summit took place on September 22, 2026. This year’s theme, Educator Well-Being Matters: Strengthening the Early Childhood Workforce, brought together educators, administrators, researchers, students, and community partners for a day of learning, networking, and collaboration.
The summit featured nationally recognized experts, including:
In addition to keynote presentations, attendees had the opportunity to engage with researchers on various topics including rural health, public health, cortisol studies, special ed/psychology and more.
Thank you for joining us for this important event as we work together to strengthen the early childhood workforce and the communities that support it.
Congratulations to the first recipients of the Mahoney Travel Fund for undergraduate students in the Texas A&M University Institute for Early Childhood Development & Education. This generous gift made possible…
Read update : Mahoney Travel Fund Advances Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Congratulations to the first recipients of the Mahoney Travel Fund for undergraduate students in the Texas A&M University Institute for Early Childhood Development & Education. This generous gift made possible through the support of our valued partners Dr. Sue Mahoney ’94 ’02 and Patrick Mahoney ’71, provides students with opportunities to attend national and regional conferences across the country. Through these experiences, students were able to network with leaders in the field and present research developed under the mentorship of Texas A&M University Institute for Early Childhood Development & Education.
We are proud to recognize the following student award recipients: Stephanie Barrera, Samantha Hart-Ihnken, Catie Samson, Valeria de la Serna Gonzalez, and Rachel Williams.
From inclusive education to language development and computational thinking, our faculty lead interdisciplinary research that connects discovery with early childhood practice.
Inclusive Education
Project NEST
Strengthening inclusive early childhood
education in rural Texas through
professional learning, coaching,
and collaboration.
Explore Project NEST
Language & Literacy
BiRDI Project
Investigating more accurate ways to
identify language and reading difficulties
among young bilingual children.
Explore BiRDI
Early Learning & Technology
Integrative Computational Thinking
Exploring how literacy, play, and
screen-free experiences support
computational thinking in early childhood.
Explore the research
Our work extends beyond research projects, connecting new knowledge with the educators, families, and communities who support young children.
Explore academic pathways at Texas A&M that prepare future educators, researchers, and leaders in early childhood education.
Prepare to lead interdisciplinary research, advance knowledge, and contribute to early childhood education, policy, and practice.
Explore the Ph.D.Prepare for a career teaching young children through field-based experiences and early childhood educator preparation.
Explore Teaching Certification