An over-arching theme for investigation is how research and knowledge move into practice, or in some cases, develop in practice through action research or design research.

Our faculty research includes:

•  elementary education - literacy, numeracy and science instruction, with supports for understanding through new technology; metacognitive language and literacy development; vocabulary assessment and instruction; math and science instruction; and technology-supported knowledge building in school communities
  
• early childhood development and community-school supports for children and families, such as children’s school readiness and schools’ readiness for diverse families; exemplary kindergarten practice
  
• integration of special needs students 
  
•  prevention of unintentional injury 
  
• integrated community-school services to support young children and parents, including populations at risk.

Research support for these areas is provided through the Laidlaw Research Centre. The collaboration among faculty, graduate students, and Laboratory School teachers and by links to community partner schools are a great benefit to our research.

The application of research to practice is fostered by links between research in the Laidlaw Centre and the combined research and professional training in the MA in Child Study and Education program, based on a teacher-researcher model.