Exploring how parenting shapes child development
Supporting Early Language Development Through Science and Family Insight
The PANDA Study is a UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate student-led research project on parenting and child development.
About The PANDA Study
🐾 Research Summary
The PANDA Study investigates how early life experiences—especially parenting practices and socioeconomic adversity—impact children’s neurodevelopment, language acquisition, and long-term educational outcomes.
Unlike many research initiatives that begin with a pilot study, the PANDA Study is grounded in a robust foundation of peer-reviewed literature. These studies have shaped the design of our caregiver survey, which focuses on early brain development, parental engagement, and the science of neuroplasticity. We aim to understand how caregivers support early language learning—and what systemic or household barriers may impact this support.
🐾 Foundational Research
Key findings from developmental psychology, neuroscience, and educational equity research informed this study. These peer-reviewed articles shaped the theoretical foundation of our project:
- Bradley & Corwyn (2002): Socioeconomic status and child development
- Hart & Risley (1995): The "word gap" and early language exposure
- Kuhl (2011): Neuroplasticity and early language learning
- Hensch (2005): Critical periods in brain development
- Miller et al. (2023): Cognitively stimulating parent-child interactions
- Dehaene et al. (2015): Brain changes during reading acquisition
- Snow (2010): Academic language and early education
- National Research Council & Institute of Medicine (2000): From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development
These studies point to the vital role of early caregiving environments in shaping a child’s lifelong learning trajectory. They also highlight the importance of early interventions that are developmentally sensitive, culturally informed, and grounded in neuroscience.
🐾 The PANDA Study
The PANDA Study explores how parental beliefs, resources, and routines influence children’s early language development during the critical period of postnatal brain growth. Drawing on developmental and neuroscience research, this project was created to better understand how caregivers support (or struggle to support) language-rich learning environments at home.
Caregivers complete a detailed survey that includes:
- Demographics (e.g., SES, education, child age/gender)
- Beliefs and knowledge about early language development
- Parenting practices (e.g., reading, conversation, daily routines)
- Challenges such as stress, lack of time, or limited access to books
- Use of digital tools (apps, e-books, educational games)
- Understanding of developmental theories and critical periods
- True/false assessments based on child development science
This study identifies patterns that may help us develop better, more personalized early literacy supports—particularly for underserved families. We hope the findings will inform future educational programs, intervention kits, and resources designed for caregivers during this crucial early window of neurodevelopment.
🐾 Participate
We are currently seeking caregivers that are over 18-years-old of children ages 0–6 to take part in a short online survey. You do not need to be an expert—your experience matters.
[Click here to take the PANDA Study Survey]
Participation is anonymous and takes approximately 5–10 minutes. Your responses will help us better understand how to support early childhood learning in all families.