Brain Development Lab

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 dysle

xia (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.

"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.

"A lot of our understanding of the neuroscience components of reading in general, and reading disabilities in particular...
05/28/2026

"A lot of our understanding of the neuroscience components of reading in general, and reading disabilities in particular, tends to be based on higher-SES families."

Neuroscientists find that brain signatures of reading difficulties in students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are, on average, different from those of students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds who struggle with reading.

“Handwriting and related fine motor skills are linked to better academic performance in preschool.”
05/20/2026

“Handwriting and related fine motor skills are linked to better academic performance in preschool.”

Pencil and paper could lead to better learning in kindergarten

"Surprisingly, even high proficiency in a second language doesn’t fully bridge this gap, suggesting that the sensory and...
05/20/2026

"Surprisingly, even high proficiency in a second language doesn’t fully bridge this gap, suggesting that the sensory and emotional depth of a first language plays a fundamental role in how we 'see' and solve problems."

Bilingual individuals are more creative in their native language due to more vivid mental imagery and deeper sensory connections.

"For parents, it can feel mind-numbing. But for a child, that repetition is pure gold—feeding their need for predictabil...
03/17/2026

"For parents, it can feel mind-numbing. But for a child, that repetition is pure gold—feeding their need for predictability, building confidence, and laying the foundation for early literacy. "

Repetition helps your child feel safe, even if you need a break from 'Click Clack Moo.'

"By tracking brain activity as people listened to a long podcast, researchers found that meaning unfolds step by step—mu...
02/17/2026

"By tracking brain activity as people listened to a long podcast, researchers found that meaning unfolds step by step—much like the layered processing inside systems such as GPT-style models."

Scientists have discovered that the human brain understands spoken language in a way that closely resembles how advanced AI language models work. By tracking brain activity as people listened to a long podcast, researchers found that meaning unfolds step by step—much like the layered processing in...

"Despite the concerns, phonics is an important step towards becoming a skilled reader. This is increasingly recognised i...
02/02/2026

"Despite the concerns, phonics is an important step towards becoming a skilled reader. This is increasingly recognised in English speaking countries including the US, Australia, and the UK, although it is only in England that schools are explicitly required to provide phonics instruction."

Despite some concerns, a phonics-based approach might help to close the attainment gap

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1818 Horton Avenue
Nashville, TN
37203

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

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+16158751667

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