Rachel Thibodeau-Nielsen , PhD

Rachel Thibodeau-Nielsen is an associate professor of Human Development and Family Science. Her program of research aims to identify sustainable solutions to promote optimal child development in a 21st century world: ones that are accessible to all children and build on children’s existing strengths. To this end, she runs an active research lab at the CFPR studying how playful experiences can promote learning and development in early childhood. Her work finds that play lays the foundation for the skills children need to be successful in school and life. Additionally, she has served as co-director of two CFPR programs providing coaching to childcare providers throughout the state of Missouri and contributed to the development of numerous trainings and professional development products to ensure high quality early childhood educational experiences for all children in Missouri.

Furthering the mission of the CFPR, Dr. Thibodeau-Nielsen has partnered with a number of community organizations in an effort to bring discoveries from developmental science into the world. She is a Hub Team Member for the Missouri Telehealth Network’s Head Start ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) and regular partner at Mizzou’s annual Columbia Young Scientists Expo where she brings playful learning experiences to the community and trains faculty across campus on designing engaging learning experiences for young children. Her commitment to outreach and impact has been recognized through an Advancing Research Impact in Society fellowship and the University of Missouri College of Education and Human Development Outstanding Engagement and Outreach Award.

Research

• Research Lab Website Power of Play Lab

Areas of expertise

• Enhancing Early Childhood Development, Care, and Learning

Research Summary

Discovering how play is linked to essential 21st-century skills in children’s development.