| Lucia French joined
the Warner faculty in 1982 as a developmental psychologist investigating
language development, learning, and cognition. Her research
explores the relationship between language and cognitive development
during the preschool years, with emphasis on the roles of social
interaction and prior knowledge. French directs the certification
program in early childhood education at the Warner School, works
extensively with doctoral students, and teaches courses in child
development and early childhood education.
French, a former Spencer Fellow, is the author of Young
Children's Understanding of Relational Terms: Some ifs, ors,
and buts (Springer-Vertag, 1985). She has also published
more than 30 articles in research journals and other articles
in publications for early childhood educators.
Based on her research, French has developed a science-based
preschool curriculum to foster language development, learning,
cognition, and school readiness. The ScienceStart!
curriculum capitalizes on children’s natural curiosity
about the world around them to build the cognitive and social
skills and knowledge needed for healthy development and academic
success. She is engaged in numerous projects in the community
to develop, field-test, and expand the curriculum, with funding
from the National Science Foundation and the United States
Department of Education. French’s groundbreaking work,
on which she has collaborated extensively with doctoral students,
has been featured in Education Week.
|
