Brain Development Lab

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Brain Development Lab Exploring the mechanisms for learning & development at Vanderbilt University!

Our developmental research focuses on academically relevant areas such as reading, math and scientific thinking. Our models of typical brain function are informed by our work in atypical populations such as dysphasia (language impairment), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and deaf and hard-of-hearing. A major focus of our work has also been on learning disabilities, including dyslexia (reading disability) and dyscalculia (math disability). Recent work in our lab is investigating the role of educational interventions for improving brain function. By furthering our understanding of the brain bases of low literacy, our work has important implications for identification and treatment of children who experience difficulty with reading.

"The amount of reading for pleasure that Americans are doing is down 40% since the early 2000s."
10/20/2026

"The amount of reading for pleasure that Americans are doing is down 40% since the early 2000s."

Even before generative AI went mainstream, fewer people were reading books.

"Children who hear less complex language at home may be at a disadvantage when starting school."
10/15/2026

"Children who hear less complex language at home may be at a disadvantage when starting school."

Children who hear less complex language at home may be at a disadvantage when starting school

"The children who used their hands obtained the best results."
10/05/2026

"The children who used their hands obtained the best results."

Researchers explored how manual and keyboard practice influenced children's abilities in their reading and writing learning process. 5-year-olds were taught an artificial alphabet using different techniques, and the conclusion was that children who are trained with pencil and paper assimilate n...

“The brain seems to maintain a common internal structure for meaning while simultaneously keeping languages distinct eno...
09/29/2026

“The brain seems to maintain a common internal structure for meaning while simultaneously keeping languages distinct enough to avoid interference.”

New research reveals that bilingual brains rely on a shared geometric map to process meaning. While individual neurons treat languages differently, the overall neural structure remains the same, allowing seamless translation between languages.

“It promotes health literacy and helps build resilience, as reading can enhance a child’s socioemotional skills.”
09/22/2026

“It promotes health literacy and helps build resilience, as reading can enhance a child’s socioemotional skills.”

Children are more likely to read if they feel connected to books and have choices

"A higher proportion of shape-based nouns in a child's vocabulary shortly after cochlear implantation was associated wit...
09/11/2026

"A higher proportion of shape-based nouns in a child's vocabulary shortly after cochlear implantation was associated with better language development for the next three years."

Researchers find a link between early vocabulary composition and later language development in children with cochlear implants.

"People who were taught to read by receiving explicit instructions on the relationship between sounds and spelling exper...
08/11/2026

"People who were taught to read by receiving explicit instructions on the relationship between sounds and spelling experienced a dramatic improvement compared to learners who discovered this relationship naturally through the reading process."

When it comes to learning to read, new research suggests that explicit instruction -- a phonics teaching method in which the relationship between sound and spelling is taught directly and systematically -- is more effective than self-discovery through reading.

"During the first years of life, the most influential factor is everyday dyadic face-to-face parent-child verbal interac...
07/24/2026

"During the first years of life, the most influential factor is everyday dyadic face-to-face parent-child verbal interaction."

Researchers found that higher screen use in families is associated with poorer language skills in young children. The study emphasizes the importance of parent-child interactions for language development, especially in screen-heavy households.

"People who grow up learning Chinese and English show a split in a unique part of the brain called the VWFA."
07/14/2026

"People who grow up learning Chinese and English show a split in a unique part of the brain called the VWFA."

Researchers studied brain activity in two bilingual groups: those who learned English and Chinese and those who learned English and French.

"Shared reading supports language, literacy, and social-emotional growth, laying the foundation for school readiness."
06/10/2026

"Shared reading supports language, literacy, and social-emotional growth, laying the foundation for school readiness."

A new study encourages parents to read aloud with newborns and young children to strengthen relationships and promote brain development.

Address

1818 Horton Avenue
Nashville, TN
37203

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+16158751667

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