09/22/11 - Institute helps European early childhood researchers

Two Portuguese early childhood researchers recently have received funding for postdoctoral research projects. Cecília Aguiar, from the Superior Institute of Applied Psychology, in Lisbon, will study processes of social inclusion of children with motor disabilities. Joana Cadima, from the University of Porto, will study self-regulation skills in preschoolers to identify the best predictors of early school success.

Both researchers earned their Ph.D.s in psychology from the University of Porto. They have studied with Robin McWilliam, Ph.D. of Siskin Children’s Institute when he was on the faculty of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

McWilliam has worked with the University of Porto since the late 1990s when he was the guest of Professor Joaquim Bairrão, the pioneer of Portuguese early intervention. Subsequently, McWilliam’s students at the university have obtained funding for their research, making possible his continued consultation.

The funding for these postdoctoral fellowships is from the Foundation for Science and Technology from the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education. This foundation also has funded the research internship of a predoctoral fellow at Siskin Children's Institute, Tânia Boavida, who is studying with McWilliam.

Long known for its education and care of young children, especially those with disabilities, in Chattanooga, the Institute is becoming well established as a resource for early childhood research in Portugal.