About

Who we are

The Early Language and Literacy Investigations (ELLI) lab is a research group organized by faculty in the department of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University. ELLI serves as a resource for both undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of disciplines across campus who are interested in young children's language and literacy development. This research group engages students in research in this area, providing students with opportunities to be involved in every step of the research process, from data collection to manuscript preparation.

Please explore our website and let us know if you have any questions about the ELLI Lab.

WE WANT YOU TO BE AN ELLI LAB GRADUATE STUDENT!
Faculty in the ELLI lab are seeking strong graduate students interested in studying language and literacy development for young children.

Learn More About Graduate Study In The ELLI Lab!

THE ELLI LAB IS HIRING CHILD ASSESSORS/RESEARCH ASSISTANTS!
Do you live in the Metro Detroit area? We are assessing preschool and kindergarten children on a variety of tasks this coming fall ('19) and the following spring ('20). These tasks will help us understand how children develop literacy, math, and social skills. As a Child Assessor, you will travel to select Head Start schools in the Detroit area and conduct assessments with children. This will be hourly, temporary work.

Job Responsibilities:

Receive training on a variety of assessment tools
Become reliable on these assessment tools
Travel to preschools to conduct child assessments
Score assessments and follow data protection protocols

Qualifications:

Live in the Metro Detroit area
Minimum of a high school diploma
Experience working with children
Effective work habits (be dependable and consistent)
Good communication and interpersonal skills (ability to interact with children, teachers, and school administrators)
Demonstrate a high level of attention to detail
Ability to pass Childcare Background Check (which includes fingerprinting)
Reliable transportation
Must be available Monday-Thursday from 8am-4pm

Approximate Dates:
8/26/19-11/19/19
4/1/20-5/28/20

Pay will be $15/hour. Travel to schools will be reimbursed. This is an excellent opportunity to gain professional work experience and research experience.

Please fill out an application here:
https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3JWmE7cZKdqeTyt

Media coverage of investigators from our lab

Skibbe, L. E., Montroy J. J., Bowles, R. P., & Morrison, F. J. (in press). Self-regulation and the development of literacy and language achievement from preschool through second grade. Early Childhood Research Quarterly.
4 Keys to Teaching Literacy and Language with the Yoga Alphabet
MSU Today, Honing children's language and literacy skills, May 24, 2018
Michigan Radio, MSU study links 'self-regulation' with early development of language and literacy skills,
         May 26, 2018
Futurity.com, Kids learn language faster when they can self-regulate, May 29, 2018

Gerde, H. K., Bingham, G. E., & Bowles, R. P. iWRITE teacher professional development program funded by the US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences.
News 6, WLNS.com, Preschoolers may soon be enriched with more writing, February 8, 2018

Gerde, H. K., Pierce, S. J., Lee, K. S., & Van Egeren, L. A. (2018). Early childhood educators’ self-efficacy in science, math, and literacy instruction and science practice in the classroom. Early Education and Development.
     MSU Today, Preschool teachers need better training in science. September 26, 2017
Reddit, September 27, 2017
MiAEYC Weekly Newsletter, September 27, 2017, emailed to all MiAEYC members
   Michigan Radio, MSU study finds need for more math and science instruction in preschools, October 2, 2017
         Business Standard, Teaching science concepts in early childhood may be beneficial, September 27, 2017
Education Week, Helping preschool teachers shake off fear of science education, October 6, 2017

Skibbe, L. B is for bug when preschoolers make nature their classroom.
PBS Newshour, Aug. 15, 2017.

Montroy, J. J., Bowles, R. P. Skibbe, L.E., McClelland, M., & Morrison, F. J. (2016). The development of self-regulation across early childhood. Developmental Psychology, 52, 1744-1762.
            MSU Today, Oct. 2016
            Daily Mail, Oct. 2016
            Futurity, Oct. 2016
            PsychCentral, Oct. 2016
            Science Daily, Oct. 2016
            Parents.com, Oct. 2016
            Consumer Affairs, Oct. 2016
            Fox 47 News, Oct. 2016
            NewKerala.com, Oct. 2016
            Kinstantly, Nov. 2016

Skibbe, L. E., Bindman, S. W. Hindman, A. M., Aram, D., & Morrison, F. J. (2013). Longitudinal relations between parental writing and preschoolers' language and literacy skills. Reading Research Quarterly, 48, 387-401.
            Voice of Literacy, Nov 2013

Skibbe, L. E., Connor, C. M., Morrison, F. J., & Jewkes A. (2011). Schooling effects on preschoolers' self-regulation, early literacy, and language growth. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 26, 42-49.
          Nwi.com, February 2011
Michigan Radio, February 2011