Rhonda Douglas Brown

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Professor (Associate) at University of Cincinnati

As an increasingly recognized facet of early childhood development, the integration of play into early STEM education is garnering attention. This paper delves into the role of engineering play within early childhood education, emphasizing its application in natural playscape settings. The focus is on investigating the extent to which engineering p...

The relationship between literacy and mathematics is poorly understood. Existing theoretical frameworks, such as disciplinary literacy and mathematical discourse, do not carefully account for the uniqueness and ubiquity of symbolic mathematics in curriculum. Symbolic mathematics, the writing system of mathematics, is so unique that its symbols and...

Educators may use asynchronous online discussion (AOD), a technology-supported tool for student-centered discussion, which allows them to review, reflect, and write in-depth posts at a time most convenient for their needs. In this way, the design of online discussions can impact student motivation and perceived academic self-efficacy. Student motiv...

Although the field of educational neuroscience has grown in recent years, little research has been conducted on conceptual change and science learning through an educational neuroscience framework. Educational neuroscience is frequently used to study processes of language and mathematics cognition, but is not extensively applied to conceptual chang...

Although the field of educational neuroscience has grown in recent years, little research has been conducted on conceptual change and science learning through an educational neuroscience framework. Educational neuroscience is frequently used to study processes of language and mathematics cognition, but is not extensively applied to conceptual chang...

An analysis of US preschool science standards shows persistent disagreement on what to cover during the preschool years. Such inconsistency hampers progress for science learning and pedagogy, calling for a shared foundation on how to define science in preschool. We propose that children's play in nature can provide the basis for such a shared found...

Because of developmental constraints on the types of assessment that can be used with young children, teachers’ judgments of students’ skills and abilities are a particularly important source of information in early education. The present study investigates the accuracy of these judgments by examining agreement between Prekindergarten teachers’ (n...

This book examines the neuroscience of mathematical cognitive development from infancy into emerging adulthood, addressing both biological and environmental influences on brain development and plasticity. It begins by presenting major theoretical frameworks for designing and interpreting neuroscience studies of mathematical cognitive development, i...

In this chapter, I call attention to progress that has been made over the past 20 years in children’s mathematics achievement and in using neuroscience to understand mathematical cognitive development. Evidence supporting the triple-code model of numerical processing is mounting and we are beginning to understand how domain-specific and domain-gene...

In this chapter, we present theory and research on early- and later-developing visuospatial cognition into adulthood and its importance to mathematical cognitive development. We describe the development of dorsal and ventral visual pathways associated with the visuospatial functions of spatial awareness and pattern processing. Research using cognit...

In this chapter, we draw on evolutionary developmental psychology theory and Dehaene and colleagues’ triple-code model to describe quantity representation, which is the basis for a set of numerical abilities selected during evolution, including numerosity, which involves quickly determining the quantity of a set without counting, and ordinality, wh...

In this chapter, we review research on mathematical difficulties and exceptionalities. Mathematical difficulties are distinguished from general learning difficulties, and include developmental dyscalculia and mathematical learning disabilities. We discuss research on cognitive processing associated with mathematical difficulties, including the appr...

In this chapter, I provide an overview of brain development, structure, and function as background for interpreting neuroscience research on mathematical cognitive development. The formation of the brain throughout prenatal development is described and the location and functions of the four major lobes of the brain and the major sulci and gyri are...

Throughout history, humans have invented and used mathematics to solve meaningful problems critical to survival and prosperity. To advance our understanding of mathematical cognitive development and achievement, it is important to place research within theoretical frameworks that allow us to interpret and apply results. In this chapter, I discuss e...

In this chapter, we presents theory and research on mathematical interventions, which are programs used to provide supplementary opportunities to children who are struggling with learning mathematical concepts, facts, and procedures either in small groups or individually (Tiers 2 and 3 of the Response to Intervention framework). Fifteen mathematica...

In this chapter, we present neuroscience research that addresses the development of the more complex skill of calculation from childhood into adulthood. Cognitive processes related to mathematics achievement are described including the quantity, verbal, and visual systems of Dehaene and colleagues’ triple-code model and domain-specific and domain-g...

Join a local environmental society, but see to it that it does not waste time on superficial purposes… Don't think it is enough to attend meetings and sit there like a lump…. It is better to address envelopes than to attend foolish meetings. It is better to study than act too quickly; but it is best to be ready to act intelligently when the appropr...

Play serves an important function in early childhood, and more specifically, play in nature provides an optimal venue for holistic development. Teachers play a critical role in providing and protecting these experiences for young children. This study aimed to understand and make more explicit the perceived benefits of a nature playscape from the pe...

Brain imaging studies are frequently used to study processes of mathematics and language cognition, but are not extensively applied science cognition. This paper reviews the current literature combining brain imaging, conceptual change, and science cognition.

The Orton-Gillingham reading-intervention program (OG) is widely used for children with Reading Difficulties (RD). However, few studies have been performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the OG. Here, we examined the effects of the OG on oral and silent reading in children with RD. Children with RD who participated in the OG showed similar improv...

Playscapes are intentionally designed, dynamic, vegetation-rich, play environments that nurture young children's affinity for nature. We investigated how the affordances of a nature playscape provide opportunities to strengthen children's executive function by identifying examples of goal-directed and focused problem-solving within children's free...

The outgoing co-editors reflect on their service to Children, Youth and Environments by describing the historical themes, current trends, future directions in the fields, and their legacy. The transition to a new “home base” for the journal at the University of Cincinnati is described and the incoming co-editors are introduced. Goals for the journa...

The new editors of the Children, Youth and Environments journal describe the exhibition “CYE Moves to UC: Past, Present and Future” at the University of Cincinnati. The inaugural exhibition helped engage and inform the community in the greater Cincinnati area about the CYE network and the journal. The exhibition showcased the history of the journal...

Research Findings: This article describes major theories and research on math cognition across the fields of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and education and connects these literatures to intervention practices. Commercially available math intervention programs were identified and evaluated using the following questions: (a) Did neuroscience r...

Described is an innovative approach currently being used to inspire group work, specifically a medical team training model, referred to as The Simulation Model, which includes as its major components: (1) Prior Training in Group Work of Medical Team Members; (2) Simulation in Teams or Groups; (3) Multidisciplinary Teamwork; (4) Team Leader Selectio...

The Cincinnati Nature Center and the Arlitt Child and Family Research and Education Center at the University of Cincinnati partnered in 2008 to create the Nature Playscape Initiative (NPI). The organization aims to promote playscapes: nature-based environments designed for children's open-ended play and learning. This field report describes the act...

This special issue includes 4 articles addressing the general theme of neural correlates of memory development and learning. Taken together, the articles represent a broad range of development, including infants, children, adolescents, and adults as participants. Each line of research examines relations between brain activity and cognitive function...

In adults, the neural substrate associated with encoding memories connected to a specific time and place include the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe (MTL). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, this research studied the developmental trajectory of this frontal-MTL system by comparing 7- and 8-year-old children to those who were 10...

Two studies examined the effects of using a formal assessment instrument on preschool teachers’ beliefs concerning the importance of various developmental skills and abilities. In Study 1, users of a formal assessment instrument rated skills and abilities assessed by the instrument as more important for preschoolers to develop than non-users. In St...

The suitability of a previously hypothesized triple-code model of numerical processing, involving analog magnitude, auditory verbal, and visual Arabic codes of representation, was investigated for the complex mathematical task of the mental addition and subtraction of fractions. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 15 normal adult...

Preschool teachers in Ohio, representing Head Start, Preschool Special Education, and Public School Preschool programs, completed a survey designed to examine their use of assessments and curricula. The 586 preschool teachers provided a range of responses, including reported use of 21 commercial assessments and self-developed and program-developed...

An original approach to memory development that views memory as a continuous process of growth and loss over the human lifespan rather than as a series of separate periods. Until recently, the vast majority of memory research used only university students and other young adults as subjects. Although such research successfully introduced new methodo...

Shortly after viewing a video of a theft, 5- and 7-year-old children and adults were interviewed with free recall and either misleading or unbiased-leading questions. After a 2-day delay, participants were interviewed with free recall and recognition questions administered by either the same or a different interviewer. Results from day 1 replicate...

Typescript (Photocopy). Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1998. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-174).

In our commentary, we propose the current research from the field of developmental neuroscience can be incorporated within the theoretical perspectives advocated by evolutionary psychologists and advocates of the developmental systems approach. We then describe research on memory and the relationship between spatial-temporal reasoning and mathemati...

We propose that humans may have evolved a special sensitivity to certain types of social information during rough-and-tumble play that facilitates social cognition. The cognitive benefits of physical play are described as providing a break from demanding intellectual tasks, and are hypothesized to be related to gender differences in spatial cogniti...

propose that humans may have evolved a special sensitivity to certain types of social information during rough-and-tumble play that facilitates social cognition. The cognitive benefits of physical play are described as providing a break from demanding intellectual tasks, and are hypothesized to be related to gender differences in spatial cognition.

It is recommended that researchers and practitioners consider individual differences in demographic, cognitive, personality, social, and emotional variables when evaluating the Cognitive Interview (CI) and that the mental imagery component of the CI be omitted.