Marsico Institute for Early Learning

At the Marsico Institute, we partner to build early childhood communities of joyful learning, inclusive engagement, and true belonging for every child, family, and professional. 

We advance equity by generating knowledge across development and academic domains about how children learn and thrive through rigorous research and by honoring the lived experiences of children, families, and professionals. 

Through research, development, technical assistance, evaluation, and policy guidance, we strengthen the systems that support young children. By translating and synthesizing research and practice, we drive innovation in inclusive, playful learning across STEM, literacy, and social-emotional development so that all children can reach their full potential.

Research Projects

Led by Co-Executive Directors Drs. Douglas H. Clements and Julie Sarama, our team is dedicated to developing, researching, and disseminating knowledge about excellence in early education and care.

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Publications

Through publications and presentations, we share broadly the evidence and insights gleaned from our research.  

 

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Implementation Support

We equip educators, individual schools, school districts, and other organizations worldwide by providing technical assistance to support implementation of impactful practices to the early childhood education and care community. 

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Early Math Resources

We are proud to offer resources for early math education and research, including the learningtrajectories.org website, measures of early math teaching and learning, and articles written to strengthen early math education 

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Partners & Funders

We are grateful for partnerships with national centers and organizations, schools and districts, and colleagues at the University of Denver in our efforts to improve early childhood systems. 

 

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About Us

Our staff conduct educational research - observing teaching and learning of young children - and develop playful learning activities and engaging professional development based on research.

 

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To push our research into practice, we publish widely and seek to partner with stakeholders who have the power to implement these practices and improve the lives of young children. Therefore, we strive to form partnerships with urban and rural school districts, academic institutions, practitioners, policymakers, and families to deliver this information locally, nationally, and abroad.  

More than 93% of brain development occurs before the age of five, which is why the Marsico Institute focuses specifically on early childhood, or the period of learning and development that occurs before the age of eight. We believe that providing quality relationships and learning opportunities can set the stage for what children will be able to accomplish throughout the rest of their lives. We hope to help our partners make that difference for children, families, and teachers.