This study investigates whether morphological awareness—the ability to understand word structure—can improve literacy in both English and Chinese among bilingual children. Through an eight-week training program, Chinese-English bilingual children learn word-building patterns. The research explores whether morphological awareness can serve as a bridge connecting literacy development across both languages.

This research explores how generative AI can create personalized reading materials based on autistic children’s special interests. Using AI-generated stories tailored to individual passions, the study examines effects on engagement and story retelling, suggesting that personalized, strength-based educational tools may improve reading experiences and accessibility for neurodivergent learners.

This study examines how multiracial representation in children’s literature influences identity development. Through a library reading program, observational, visual, and narrative data showed that multiracial children engage more deeply and express stronger identity integration when represented. Findings highlight the importance of inclusive storytelling in fostering belonging and supporting healthy racial identity formation.

This study examines how children process the speech envelope, a key acoustic feature of language. Brain data from ages 4–18 reveal a developmental shift from left- to right-hemisphere processing. This newly identified trajectory may help detect language impairments and improve early interventions in speech and language development.

This research investigates the use of Bee-Bot, a programmable robot, to support children with autism. Structured robot-based activities aim to improve communication, social interaction, and purposeful play, while incorporating parent and teacher perspectives to assess long-term developmental and behavioral benefits.

Using longitudinal data from 30,000 South Korean children, this study shows that child abuse significantly increases suicidal thoughts, especially with prolonged exposure. Crucially, strong social connections—such as team sports, supportive teachers, and caring neighbors—dramatically reduce this risk, highlighting social interaction as a key source of resilience.

My PhD explores children’s well-being at ages 10–11 by integrating children’s voices with parent and teacher perspectives. Using child-centred methods, it identifies key influences during a critical transition. The research prioritizes children as experts, informing better measurement, intervention, and long-term understanding of how well-being evolves over time.

This research investigates why children struggle to learn pronouns and why these difficulties vary across languages. Through cross-linguistic experiments and eye-tracking, it shows that pronouns pose an intrinsic processing challenge. Some languages compensate for this difficulty, offering new insights into language development and human learning.

This research investigates how children use the left and right hemispheres for language and spatial reasoning. Using ultrasound while children play custom games, it shows that those with the typical left-language/right-spatial pattern tend to have stronger skills. The findings reveal how brain-activity patterns relate to developmental risks and complex tasks like reading.