I am assistant professor at the Department of Educational and Family Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and member of the LEARN! research institute.
Research
The aim of my research is to improve the quality of early childhood education and daycare. I study the effect of interventions directed at shared book reading, classroom talk and play on children’s language acquisition and social development. In my research, I closely collaborate with students, primary school teachers, and teacher trainers.
Research projects
- 2022 - 2025 Effect of NELI tutoring on language development in ECE PI
- 2020 - 2025 Role play and social competence in ECE Co-promotor
- 2019 - 2025 Object-oriented play in ECE and day-care Co-promotor
- 2020 - 2022 Language competence and shared book reading in ECE PI
- 2020 - 2022 Nature play in ECE and day-care Co-author
- 2018 - 2021 Teachers' guidance during play in day-care Co-author
- 2018 - 2020 Effect of classroom talk on social competence in ECE Postdoc
- 2015 - 2018 Peer rejection and language competence in ECE PhD
- 2015 - 2016 Mind mapping in early childhood education Researcher
Teaching
The courses I coordinate and teach focus on how the educational system in the Netherlands is structured, how we can promote children’s cognitive and social development, and how educational research can be improved.
In the academic year 2023-2024, I coordinate and teach the following courses:
- Pupil, Education, and Guidance
- Educational processes in the classroom: Research in practice
- Fundamental theory: How pupils learn
- Mentorship
I supervise several theses and internships and I am member of the educational committee.
Prizes and awards
- 2022 Selected as member of the Amsterdam Young Academy
- 2020 Nominated for the Teacher Award of the faculty
- 2018 Nominated for the Junior Career Award of the faculty
- 2015 Winner of the Best Master Thesis Award by the NVO
- 2014 Winner of the Most Honourable Mention at the SRC
