Yingying Zhao
Assistant Professor
Education
- Ph.D., Texas A&M University, USA. 2025
- M.A., Tsinghua University, China. 2019
- B.A., Northeast Normal University, China. 2014
Academic Interests
- Teacher education
- Early literacy development
- Nature-based learning
- Family engagement
Awards
- 2025-2027 Early On Faculty Grant Award, 2025
- Calvin Research Fellowship, 2025
- 2024-2025 Dissertation Fellowship, 2024
- Robert L. Walker/Heep Endowed Graduate Fellowship, 2023
- Texas Public Education Grant, 2021
Publications and Presentations
*indicate student mentees
*Pangemanan, C., & Zhao, Y. (2026, March). Integrating early literacy into children’s everyday experiences. Michigan Association for Education of Young Children. Grand Rapids, Michigan.
*Fields, N., & Zhao, Y. (2026, February). Starting off Strong: Family-centered literacy supports for early literacy development. 86th Annual Michigan Council for Exceptional Children Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Zhao, Y., & Lai, J. (2025, November). Learning and thriving in nature: Inclusive practice for young children. Michigan Division for Early Childhood 2025 Conference. Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Zhao, Y., Gerde, H. K., Bingham, G. E., Zhang, X., & Bowles, R. P. (2025, May). Parent writing support and child writing development: The mediating role of emergent literacy skills. Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Zhao, Y., Gerde, H. K., Bingham, G. E., Zhang, X., & Bowles, R. P. (2024, January). Relative importance of predictors in preschool children’s transcription and composing. Pacific Coast Research Conference. San Diego, CA.
Yu, F., Zhao, Y., & Gagne, J. R. (2023, March). Child positive affectivity and internalizing problems at age 3. Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah.
Zhao, Y., Kao, S., Donaldson, J. P., & Chaney, K. P. (2022, June). Design of an argumentation-based learning activity: Connecting veterinary Students to Real-world Problems. International Conference of the Learning Sciences. Virtual Convention.
Zhao, Y., Yu, F., & Gagne, J. R. (2022, May). Young children’s callous-unemotional traits mediate the relationship between maternal negative affectivity and child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 2022 Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention. Chicago, Illinois.
Zhao, Y., Li, Y., Xu, Z., & Zhang, B. (2022, April). Self-regulated learning and academic performance in online and blended learning environments: A meta-analysis. 2022 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting. San Diego, California.
Zhao, Y., Li, Y., Choi, D., Joseph, M., & Dunlap, K. (2022, April). Students’ perceived support and motivational impact by the transition to online learning during COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 AERA Annual Meeting. San Diego, California.
See this Google Scholar page for publications
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