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Professor RAO, Nirmala

Professor RAO, Nirmala

Professor RAO, Nirmala

劉麗薇

Serena H.C. Yang Professor in Early Childhood Development and Education
Chair Professor of Child Development and Education

Developmental and Chartered (Educational) Psychologist,

Chair Professor

Academic Unit of Human Communication, Learning, and Development

Qualification

B.A. (Bangalore), M.S. (Tulane), Ph.D. (Tulane)

Email

[javascript protected email address]

Phone

(852) 3917 7604

Location

Room 510, Meng Wah Complex

Research Expertise

  • Child Development
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Educational Psychology
  • Equity, Equality and Social Justice in Education
  • Parents and Family Issues in Education

Prospective PhD/ EdD/ MPhil Applications

I am not accepting any further PhD/EdD/MPhil applications.

Links

Teaching Areas:

Early Childhood Development; Early Childhood Education; Gender Issues

 

Research Interests:

Early childhood development and education; Child development and Educational Policy; Developmental and Educational Psychology; Culture and Pedagogy

 

ORCID: 

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5695-3156

 

Google Scholar: 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bylNG-4AAAAJ

 

  • Sino-British Fellowhip Trust Visitorship 2018 - 19
  • University Outstanding Researcher Award (2017-2018)
  • Nehru Chair Professor 2018 - The M.S. University of Baroda
  • Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award 2018 - Impacting early childhood in East Asia and the Pacific through contextually appropriate assessment of early child develoment
  • Hong Kong Research Grants Council Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship
  • Best of UNICEF Research award 2015 - Validation, Finalization and Adoption of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS) 
  • Eminent Visiting Professor 2014 - Universiti Brunei Darussalam 
  • Endowed Professorship 2013 - Serena HC Yang Professorship in Early Childhood Development and Education
  • Faculty Research Output Prize 2012 
  • Faculty Outstanding Research Supervisor Award 2010

Principal investigator (PI)

  1. Enhancing Early Childhood Development in China and India: Understanding the Contributions of Maternal Education and Policy Variations. RGC (GRF awarded in June 2021)
  2. An Evaluation of the Early Childhood Care and Development Programme in Bhutan. UNICEF Bhutan (Awarded in July 2019) 
  3. Are young children developmentally on track? Comparison between adult ratings and direct assessment in China and India. RGC (GRF awarded in June 2019)
  4. Early childhood development, preschool quality, school readiness and early achievement: A longitudinal study in China. RGC (GRF awarded in June 2017)
  5. Assessing early childhood development and learning: the first step to building human capital in one belt one road countries. RGC (HSSPFS awarded in June 2017)
  6. Early Childhood Intervention to Reduce Deficits of Underprivileged Children (Co-PI, Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust awarded in 2017) 
  7. Provision of consultancy services to study on the effectiveness of the provision of quality kindergarten education in Hong Kong under the free quality kindergarten education policy. Education Bureau (Awarded in April 2017) 
  8. Reaching expert consensus on training different cadres in delivering early childhood development at scale. DFID, UK project (Co-PI, awarded in November 2016)
  9. Provision of technical support for East Asia Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS). UNICEF Myanmar (Awarded in Octocber 2016)
  10. Learning and assessment for digital citizenship. (Co-PI, TRS, RGC awarded in July 2016)
  11. OECD - ECEC experts. RAND Europe (Awarded in June 2016)
  12. A comparative study of early childhood education in selected high performing countries. PI of Hong Kong part, NCEE, USA; Columbia University (Awarded in Februray 2016)
  13. Baseline survey of ECCE facilities in AROB and PNG. UNICEF – Papua New Guinea project (Awarded in March 2016)
  14. Survey of Teachers in Pre-Primary Education (STEPP). UNESCO (Awarded in December 2015)
  15. Early child development scale in-depth analysis. UNICEF - Cambodia (Awarded in November 2015)
  16. EAP-ECDS shortened version. ARNEC (Awarded in September 2015)
  17. Promoting early development and learning in children from ethnic minorities. Principal Investigator, UBS Optimus Project (Awarded in December 2014)
  18. Early childhood development and cognitive development in developing countries: A Rigorous literature review. Principal Investigator, DFID, UK project (Awarded in January 2013)
  19. Validation, finalization and adoption of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS). Principal Investigator, UNICEF – EAPRO project (Awarded in January 2013)​

 

Co-investigator

  1. Harnessing the power of global data to support young children's learning and development: Analyses, dissemination and implementation (Collaborator, ESRC awarded in 2020)
  2. Protestors and Police: Kindergarten children's perceptions of the 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong (Co-Investigator, PPR awarded in 2020)
  3. Assessing the impact of socio-emotional learning in children in target preschools (Co-Investigator, UNICEF Cambodia granted in 2018)
  4. Impact of early exposure to electronic devices on long term cognitive and psychosocial development of Chinese children: a 7-year cohort study  (GRF awarded in 2018)
  5. The gap between the rich and the poor: From school readiness to school success. RGC. (GRF awarded in 2013)
  6. The early development of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Do our children need early intervention? RGC. (GRF awarded in 2011)

Most representative publications  

Names followed by an asterisk* are those of doctoral or post-doctoral students for whom I am/was the primary supervisor. Items preceded by a # are based on grants for which I was/am the PI.

  1. Rao, N., Yang, Y., & Bala, M. (2024). Early childhood care and education: Landscape review 2010-2022 (pp. 107). UNESCO Paris. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000389380
  2. Yang, H., Rao, N., & Pearson, E. (2024). Inequality in access to early childhood care and education programs among 3- to 4-year-olds: Trends and variations across low- and middle-income countries. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 66, 234-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.10.013
  3. #Rao, N., Bala, M., Ranganathan, N., Anand, U., Dhingra, S., Costa, J. C., & Weber, A. M. (2023). Trends in the prevalence and social determinants of stunting in India, 2005–2021: findings from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2023/12/06/bmjnph-2023-000648
  4. Rao, N. & Fisher, P.A. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent development around the world. Child Development, 92, 738-748. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13653
  5. Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., Sun, J. Su, Y., & Perlman, M. (2021). Early Child Development in low- and middle- income countries: Is it what mothers have or what they do that makes a difference to child outcomes? Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 61, 255-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acdb.2021.04.002
  6. # Rao, N., Chan, S. W., Su, Y., Richards, B., Cappa, C., De Castro, E. F., & Petrowski, N. (2021). Measuring being “Developmentally on Track”: Comparing direct assessment and caregiver report of Early Childhood Development in Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. Early Education and Development, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2021.1928446
  7. Rao, N., Mirpuri, S., Sincovich, A., & Brinkman, S.A. (2020). Overcoming challenges in measuring early childhood development across cultures. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(5), 352-354.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30026-2
  8. Rao, N., Weber, A., Ranganathan N., & Ip, P. (2020).Creating equality for girls: on the right track but still a long way to go. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(7),490-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30171-1
  9. Rao, N., Richards, B., Sun, J., Weber, A., & Sincovich, A. (2019). Early childhood education and child development in East Asia and the Pacific: A four-country study. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 47, 169-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.08.011
  10. Rao, N., Zhou, J., & Sun, J. (Eds.) (2017). Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
  11. # Weber, A., Darmstadt, G.L., & Rao, N. (2017). Gender disparities in child development in the East Asia-Pacific. The Lancet: Child & Adolescent Health. 1(3), 213-224.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(17)30073-1.
  12. Britto, P.R., Lye, S.J., Proulx, K., Yousafzai, A.K., Matthews, S.G., Vaivada, T., Perez-Escamilla, R., Rao, N., Ip, P., Fernald, L.C., & MacMillan, H. (2017). Nurturing care: Promoting early childhood development. The Lancet, 389(10064), 91-102.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31390-3.
  • Rao, N., Yousafzai, A.K., & Ip, P. (2017). Systematic review and meta-analyses of parenting and early childhood educational interventions. Web Appendix 2 (pp. 10 -15) as supplement to above article.

 

Journal articles 

  1. *Chan, Y. Y., & Rao, N. (2024). Increasing reading motivation and vocabulary of South Asian children in Hong Kong: A home-based intervention. Early Education and Development, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2024.2360866
  2. Wong, R.S., Lam, A.L.N., Tung, K.T.S., Rao, N., Xie, S.S.Y., Yam, J.C., & Ip, P. (2024). Early-life family and school impacts on adolescent conduct problems: A path analysis. Family Process, 00, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.13021
  3. #*Li, Z., & Rao, N. (2024). Measuring children’s developmental status in China using the ECDI2030: Comparing with direct assessment and teacher report. Child Indicators Research.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-024-10184-9
  4. #Rao, N., Su, Y. & Chan, S.W.Y. (2024). Reliability and validity of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales: A longitudinal validation study in China. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 55, 1691–1700. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-023-01526-9
  5. Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., & Bala, M. (2024). The power of research and stakeholder collaboration in enhancing early childhood care and education in low-and middle-income countries. Children, 11(6). 698. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060698
  6. *Chan, Y.Y., & Rao, N. (2024). Home and preschool influences on early literacy and numeracy development in England, Estonia, and the United States. Early Childhood Education Journal, 32(3), 399-415. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2257913
  7. Tso, W. W. Y., Chan, K. L., Lee, T. M. C., Rao, N., Lee, S. L., Jiang, F., Chan, S. H. S., Wong, W. H. S., Wong, R. S., Tung, K. T. S., Yam, J. C., Liu, A. P. Y., Chua, G. T., Rosa Duque, J. S., Lam, A. L. N., Yip, K. M., Leung, L. K., Wang, Y., Sun, J., . . . Ip, P. (2022). Mental health & maltreatment risk of children with special educational needs during COVID-19. Child Abuse & Neglect, 130(Part 1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105457
  8. Yang, Y., Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2024). From pre-service preparation to professional development: Early childhood teachers’ learning experiences, ECE quality, and child development in China. Early Education and Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2024.2336659
  9. Wong, R. S., S. Tung, K. T., W. Ho, F. K., Rao, N., Chan, K. L., & Ip, P.  (2024). Longitudinal associations between child discipline methods and physical growth patterns across preschool years. Obesity.https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23977
  10. *#Yang, H., Rao, N. & Pearson, E. (2024). Inequality in access to early childhood care and education programs among 3- to 4-year-olds: Trends and variations across low- and middle-income countries. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 66, 234-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.10.013
  11. #Rao, N., Bala, M., Ranganathan, N., Anand, U., Dhingra, S., Costa, J. C., & Weber, A. M. (2023). Trends in the prevalence and social determinants of stunting in India, 2005–2021: findings from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health.https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2023/12/06/bmjnph-2023-000648

  12. Pearson, E., Rao, N., Hendry, H., Horton, C., Aboud, F., & Siraj, I. (2023). Workforce preparation for delivery of nurturing care in low- and middle-income countries: Expert consensus on critical multi-sectoral training needs. Child: Care, Health & Development. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.13180

  13. *Chan, Y.Y., & Rao, N. (2023). Home and preschool influences on early child development of Chinese and South Asian children in Hong Kong. Early Childhood Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01589-2 

  14. Tao, S., Reichert, F., Law, N.W.Y., & Rao, N. (2023) Digital technology use and adolescent mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of internet addiction and digital competence. Cyberpsychol Behavior, and Social Networking, 26(10):739-746. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0048

  15. *#Dong, S., & Rao, N. (2023). The double burden of malnutrition among young Chinese children: a hierarchical structure of socioeconomic inequality indicators. Chinese Sociological Review, 1-28. 
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21620555.2023.2292535?src=

  16. Rao, N., Yang, Y., Su, Y., & Cohrssen, C. (2023). Promoting equity in access to quality early childhood education in China. Children, 10(10), 1674. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101674

  17. Man, K.K.C., Gao, L., Lau, W.C.Y., Fan, M., Coghill, D., Chan, E.W., Chui, C.S.L., Li, X., Chan, A.Y.L., Lum, Terry, Luo, H., Au Yeung, S.L., Wei, L., Wong, K.H.T.W., Tung, K.T.S., Wong, R.S., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Wing, Y.K., Ip, P., & Wong, I.C.K. (2023). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, physical abuse and methylphenidate treatment in children. Nature Mental Health, 1, 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-022-00008-6

  18. *Chan, Y.Y., & Rao, N. (2023). Home and preschool influences on early literacy and numeracy development in England, Estonia, and the United States. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2257913

  19. *Dong, S., & Rao, N. (2023). Associations between parental well-being and early learning at home before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: observations from the China Family Panel Studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163009 

  20. *Li, Z., & Rao, N. (2023). Advancing equity in early childhood development in China: Progress in meeting Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2. International Journal of Chinese Education, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2212585X231175499

  21. *Yang, Y., & Rao, N. (2023). The status, pathways and discourses of professionalism for early childhood education teachers in Chinese policies. International Journal of Educational Development, 99.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102760

  22. Raikes, A., Rao, N., Yoshikawa, H. et al. (2023). Global tracking of access and quality in early childhood care and education. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 17(14).

    https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-023-00116-5

  23. Cuartas, J., McCoy, D., Sánchez, J., Behrman, J., Cappa, C., Donati, G., Heymann, J., Lu, C., Raikes, A., Rao, N., Richter, L., Stein, A., & Yoshikawa, H. (2023). Family play, reading, and other stimulation and early childhood development in five low-and-middle-income countries. Developmental science, e13404.https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13404

  24. #Rao, N., Su, Y., & Chan, S.W.Y. (2023). Reliability and validity of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales: A longitudinal validation study in China. Child Psychiatry & Human Development.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-023-01526-920. 

  25. #*Gong, J., & Rao, N. (2023). Preschool experiences and home learning environments of migrant children in urban China. Front. Public Health, 11, 1086439. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1086439

  26. #Petermann-Rocha, F., Rao, N., Bala, M., Parshad-Asnani, M., Sifuna, A., Yousafzai, A., Ho, F.K., & Ip, P. (2023). Hygiene practices and early childhood development in the East Asia-Pacific region: A cross-sectional analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 20(4), 2798. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042798

  27. #*Gong, J., & Rao, N. (2023). Early learning opportunities of preschool children affected by migration in China. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 63, 228-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2022.12.010

  28. Man, K.K.C., Gao, L., Lau, W.C.Y., Fan, M., Coghill, D., Chan, E.W., Chui, C.S.L., Li, X., Chan, A.Y.L., Lum, T., Luo, H., Au Yeung, S.L., Wei, L., Wong, K.H.T.W., Tung, K.T.S., Wong, R.S., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Yun, K.W., Ip, P., & Wong, I.C.K. (2023). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, physical abuse and methylphenidate treatment in children. Nature Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-022-00008-6

  29. Schirmbeck, K., Runge, R., Rao, N., Wang, R., Richards, B., Chan, S.W.Y., & Maehler, C. (2022). Assessing executive functions in preschoolers in Germany and Hong Kong: testing for measurement invariance. Journal of Cultural Cognitive Science, 6(3), 269-286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41809-022-00112-0 

  30. Tso, W.W.Y., Chan, K.L., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Lee, S.L., Jiang, F., Chan, S.H.S., Wong, W.H.S., Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Yam, J.C., Liu, A.P.Y., Chua, G.T.,    Rosa Duque, J.S., Lam, A.L.N., Yip, K.M., Leung, L.K., Wang, Y., Sun, J., Wang, G., Chan, G.C.F., Wong, I.C.K., & Ip, P. (2022) Mental health & maltreatment risk of children with special educational needs during COVID-19. Child abuse & neglect, 130, 105457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105457

  31. Rao, N., Chan, S.W.Y., Wang, R., Lee, D., Ng, R.Y.T., Becher, Y., Lau, C., Sun, J., Ho, F.K., & Ip, P. (2022). The Hong Kong Early Child Development Scale-3: A Validation Study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 16(2), 1-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.17206/apjrece.2022.16.2.1

  32. #*Richards B., Rao, N., & *Chan S.W.Y. (2022) Measuring indicators of Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2.1: Factor structure of a direct assessment tool in four Asian countries. Oxford Review of Education, 49(1), 69-92. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2022.2093844

  33. Rao, N., *Chan, S.W.Y., *Su, Y., *Mirpuri, S., *Richards, B., Sun, J., Zhang, L. & Ip, P. (2022). Early motor development in China: Secular trends among 4-year-olds. Early Child Development and Care. http://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2022.2064460 

  34. Rao, N., *Su, Y. & *Gong, J. (2022). Persistent urban-rural disparities in early childhood development in China: The roles of maternal education, home learning environments, and early childhood education. International Journal of Early Childhood.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-022-00326-x

  35. *Chan, S.W.Y., & Rao, N. (2022). Relation between executive function and early language and literacy development in Bengali, Chinese, and Hindi. Reading and Writing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-022-10285-3

  36. Tso, W.W.Y., Chan, K.L., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Lee, S.L., Jian, F., Chan, S.H.S., Wong, W.H.S., Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Yam, J.C., Liu, A.P.Y., Chua, G.T., Rosa Duque, J.S., Lam, A.L.N., Yip, K.M., Leung, L.K., Wang, Y., Sun, J., …… Ip, P. (2022). Mental health & maltreatment risk of children with special educational needs during COVID-19. Child Abuse & Neglect, 105457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105457

  37. Leung, C., Hui, A.N.N., Wong, R. Rao, N., Karnilowicz, W., Chung, K., Chan, J., & Ip, P. (2022). Effectiveness of a multicomponent parenting intervention for promoting social-emotional school readiness among children from low-income families in Hong Kong: A cluster randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatrics.https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.6308

  38. Tso, W.W.Y., Reichert, F., Law, N., Fu, K.W., de la Torre, J., Rao, N., Leung, L.K., Wang, Y-L., Wong, W.H.S., & Ip, P. (2022). Digital competence as a protective factor against gaming addiction in children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 20, 100382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100382

  39. Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Chan, B.N.K., Ho, F.K., Rao, N., Chan, K.L., Sun, J., So, H. K., Wong, W.H.S., Tso, W.W.Y., Yam, J.C.S., Wong, I.C.K., & Ip, P. (2022). Early-life activities mediate the association between family socioeconomic status in early childhood and physical fitness in early adolescence. Scientific Reports, 12, 81 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03883-8

  40. *Wong, J.M.S., & Rao, N. (2022). Pursuing quality in early childhood education with a government-regulated voucher: views of parents and service providers in Hong Kong. Journal of Education Policy, 37(1), 39-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2020.1764628

  41. Gao, L., Leung, M.T.Y., Li, X., Chui, C.S.L., Wong, R.S.M., Au Yeung, S.L., Chan, E.W.W., Chan, A.Y.L., Chan, E.W., Wong, W.H.S., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Wing, Y.K., Lum, T.Y.S., Leung, G.M., Ip, P., & Wong, I.C.K. (2021). Linking cohort-based data with electronic health records: A proof-of-concept methodological study in Hong Kong. BMJ Open, 2021;11(6): e045868.

  42. Ho, F.K., Rao, N., Tung, K.T.S., Wong, R.S., Wong, W.H.S., Tung, J.Y.L., Chua, G.T., Tso, W.W.Y., Bacon-Shone, J., Wong, I.C.K., Yousafzai, A., Wright, C., & Ip, P. (2021). Association of early nutritional status with child development in the Asia Pacific Region.  JAMA Network Open, 2021;4(12):e2139543.
    https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.39543

  43. Petermann-Rocha, F., Rao, N., Pell, J. P., Celis-Morales, C., Wong, I.C.K., Ho, F.K., & Ip, P. (2021). Weight-for-height, body fat, and development in children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. JAMA Network Open, 2022:5(1):e2142458. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42458

  44. Richter, L., Behrman, J., Britto, P., Cappa, C., Cohrssen, C., Cuartas, J., Daelmans, B., Devercelli, A., Fink, G., Fredman, S., Heymann, J., Lopez Boo, F., Lu, C., Lule, E., McCoy, D., Naicker, S., Rao, N., Raikes, A., Stein, A., Vasquez, C., & Yoshikawa, H. (2021). Measuring and forecasting progress in education: What about early childhood? npj Science of Learning, 6, 27. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00106-7

  45. Cohrssen, C., Rao, N., Kapai, P., & La Londe, P.G. (2021). Kindergarten children’s perceptions of the social unrest in Hong Kong. Journal of Early Childhood Research.https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X211062728

  46. Rao, N., & Fisher, P.A. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent development around the world. Child Development, 92, e738-e748. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13653

  47. Rao, N., Ranganathan, N., Kaur, R., & Mukhopadhayay, R. (2021). Fostering equitable access to quality preschool education in India: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-021-00086-6

  48. #Rao, N., Chan, S.W.Y., Su, Y., Richards, B., Cappa, C., De Castro, E.F., & Petrowski, N. (2021). Measuring being “Developmentally on Track”: Comparing direct assessment and caregiver report of Early Childhood Development in Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. Early Education and Development, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2021.1928446

  49. #*Richards, B., Umayahara, M., Mirpuri, S., & Rao, N. (2021). Correlates and mediators of geo-ethnic inequalities in child development in Cambodia. International Journal of Early Years Education, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2021.1950648

  50. #*Su, Y., Rao, N., Sun, J., & Zhang, L. (2021). Preschool quality and child development in China. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 56, 15-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.02.003

  51. Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., Sun, J. Su, Y., & Perlman, M. (2021). Early Child Development in low- and middle- income countries: Is it what mothers have or what they do that makes a difference to child outcomes? Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 61, 255-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acdb.2021.04.002

  52. #*Chan, S.W., Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., & Richards, B. (2021). Predicting child outcomes in Bhutan: Contributions of parenting support and early childhood education programmes. Children and Youth Services Review, 126, 106051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106051

  53. #*Richards, B., Umayahara, M., Maw, N., & Rao, N. (2021). Early Childhood Education, Language of Instruction, and Child Development in Myanmar: Comparisons among Ethnolinguistic Groups. Early Education and Development, 32(3), 421-442. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2020.1755179

  54. #Rao, N., Umayahara, M., Yang, Y, & Ranganathan N. (2021). Ensuring access, equity and quality in early childhood education in Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar: Challenges for nations in a populous economic corridor. International Journal of Educational Development, 82, 102380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102380

  55. *Chen, L.L., & Mirpuri, S., Rao, N., & Law, N. (2021). Conceptualization and measurement of digital citizenship across disciplines. Educational Research Review, 33, 100379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100379

  56. Chua, G.T., Tung, K.T., Kwan, M.Y.W., Wong, R.S., Chui, C.S., Li, X., Wong, W.H.S., Tso, W.W.Y., Fu, K.W., Chan, K.L., Wing, Y.K., Chen, E.Y.H., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Chan, G.C.F., Hon, E.K.L., Hung, I.F.N., Lau, K.K., Ho, M.H.K., … & Ip, P. (2021). Multilevel factors affecting healthcare workers' perceived stress and risk of infection during COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Public Health, 66. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2021.599408

  57. Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T., Rao, N., Ho, F.K., Chan, K.L., Fu, K.W., Tso, W.W.Y., Jiang, F., Yam, J.C.S., Coghill, D., Wong, I.C.K., & Ip, P. (2021). A longitudinal study of the relation between childhood activities and psychosocial adjustment in early adolescence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105299

  58. Schirmbeck, K., Rao, N., Wang, R., Richards, B., Chan, S.W.Y.M & Maehler, C. (2020). Contrasting executive function development among primary school children from Hong Kong and Germany. European Journal of Psychology of Education.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-020-00519-9

  59. Tso, W.W.Y., Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Rao, N., Fu, K.W., Yam, J.C.S, Chua, G.T., Chen, E.Y.H., Lee, T.M.C., Chan, S.K.W., Wong, W.H.S., Xiong, X., Chui, C.S., Li, X., Wong, K., Leung, C., Tsang, S.K.M., Chan, G.C.F., Tam, P.K.H.,…& Ip, P. (2020). Vulnerability and resilience in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-020-01680-8

  60. *Wang, J., & Rao, N. (2020). What do Chinese students say about their academic motivational goals – reasons underlying academic strivings? Asia Pacific Journal of Education.https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2020.1812513

  61. #Rao, N., Richards, B., Lau, C., Weber, A.M., Sun, J., Darmstadt, G.L., Sincovich, A., Bacon-Shone, J., & Ip, P. (2020). Associations among early stimulation, stunting, and child development in four countries in the East Asia-Pacific. International Journal of Early Childhood, 52(2), 175-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-020-00270-8

  62. Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T., Rao, N., Leung, C., Hui, A.N., Tso, W.W.Y., Fu, K.W., Jiang, F., Zhao, J., & Ip, P. (2020). Parent technology use, parent-child interaction, child screen time, and child psychosocial problems among disadvantaged families. The Journal of Pediatrics, 226, 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.006

  63. #Rao, N., Weber, A., Ranganathan N., & Ip, P. (2020). Creating equality for girls: on the right track but still a long way to go. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(7), 490-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30171-1

  64. #*Su, Y., Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2020). Early education policy in China: Reducing regional and socioeconomic disparities in preschool attendance. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 53, 11-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2020.02.001

  65. #*Yang, Y., & Rao, N. (2020). Teacher professional development among preschool teachers in rural China. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education.https://doi.org/10.1080/10901027.2020.1726844

  66. Rao, N., Mirpuri, S., Sincovich, A., & Brinkman, S.A. (2020). Overcoming challenges in measuring early childhood development across cultures. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(5), 352-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30026-2

  67. Schirmbeck, K., Rao, N., & Maehler, C. (2020). Similarities and differences across countries in the development of Executive Functions in children: A systematic review. Infant and Child Development. 29(1), e2164. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.2164

 

Books and monographs

  1. Rao, N., Zhou, J., & Sun, J. (Eds.) (2017). Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
  2. Rao, N., Pearson, E., Cheng, K.M., & Taplin, M. (2013). Teaching in primary schools in China and India: Contexts of learning. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

 

Research reports

  1. Rao, N., Yang, Y., & Bala, M. (2024). Early Childhood Care and Education: Landscape Review 2010-2022 (pp.107). UNESCO Paris. View PDF.
  2. Law, N.W.Y., Pan, Q., Tao, S., Liang, Q., Chen, L., Rao, N., Reichert, F., & de la Torre, J. (2023). Hong Kong Students' Digital Citizenship Development 2019-2021: Findings from a Longitudinal Study (Version 1). HKU Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.25442/hku.22085738.v1
  3. Rao, N., Lau, C., Chan, S., & Richards, B. (2022). Technical Report:Consultancy Study on the Effectiveness of the Provision of Quality Kindergarten Education in Hong Kong under the Kindergarten Education Policy. Submitted to Educational Bureau, HK SAR Government. Download PDF.
  4. Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., Chan, S., & Richards, B. (2020). An Evaluation of the Early Childhood Care and Development Programme in Bhutan. UNICEF: Bhutan. Download PDF. 
  5. Rao, N., Lau, C., & Chan, S. with Koong, M. & Wong, J. (2019). International case studies of innovative early childhood systems: The early advantage: Hong Kong. National Center on Education and the Economy. Download PDF. (292pp.)
  6. Pearson, E., Hendry, H., Rao, N., Aboud, F., Horton, C., Siraj, I., Raikes, A., Miyahara, J. (2017). Reaching expert consensus on training different cadres in delivering early childhood development at scale in low-resource contexts. UK Government Department for International Development.  Download PDF.
    Pearson, E. & Rao, N. (2017). Evidence brief: Training early childhood development cadres in low-resource contexts. UK Government Department for International Development.  Download PDF.
  7. Rao, N., Richards, B., Umayahara, M., Sun, J., Bacon-Shone, J., Ip, P., Lee, D., & Becher, Y. (2017). Myanmar East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS) Project. UNICEF: Myanmar.
  8. Rao, N., Becher, Y., Lau, C., Chen, E., Lee, D., Tse, S.K., McBride, C., Richards, B., & Lo, O. (2017). Promoting early development and learning in children from ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Narrative report. Optimus Foundation, UBS.
  9. Rao, N., Lee, D., Becher, Y., Taplin, M. (2016). Enhancing Early Child Development in Papua New Guinea: Findings from the Early Childhood Facility Survey. UNICEF Papua New Guinea.
  10. Rao, N., Sun, J., Ip, P. Bacon-Shone, J. Sincovich, A., Ho, F.K., & Gao, S. (2016). Early Child Development Scale in-depth Analysis. Final Report. UNICEF. Cambodia.
  11. Rao, N. & Lau, C. (2016). Development of a conceptual framework for the Survey of Teachers in Pre-Primary Education (STEPP) survey. UNESCO: Paris.
  12. Rao, N., Sun, J., Bacon-Shone, J., Ip, P. & Becher, Y. (2016). East Asia- Pacific Early Child Development Scales - Short Form: Final Report. Singapore: Asia Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood.
  13. Rao, N., Sun, J., Ng, M., Becher, Y., Lee, D., Ip, P., & Bacon-Shone, J. (2014). Validation, Finalization and Adoption of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS). UNICEF. Download PDF.
    Winner of Best of UNICEF Research
    UNICEF Office of Research (2015). Early Childhood Development in East Asia and Pacific: Culturally sensitive testing. In Best of UNICEF Research 2015 (p.19-23) Florence, Italy. Download PDF.

 

Book chapters

  1. Chan, S.W.Y. & Rao, N. (2024). Implementing play-based pedagogy in early childhood education in Hong Kong. In R. M. Homes & J. L. Roopnarine, (Eds.). Culture, Schooling, and Children’s Learning Experiences (pp.165-180). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780191982651.001.0001
  2. Chen, L. L., & Rao, N. (2022). A multimethod approach to assessing children’s 21st century digital skills. In S. Kotilainen (Ed.), Methods in practice: Studying children and youth online (pp. 12-15). CO:RE – Children online: Research and Evidence. https://core-evidence.eu/methods-toolkit/handbook-part1/handbook-multimethod-approach 
  3. Rao, N., Pearson, E., Piper, B., & Lau, C. (2022). Building an Effective Early Childhood Education Workforce.   In M. Bendini & A. E. Devercelli, (Eds.). Quality Early Learning: Nurturing Children’s Potential. Human Development Perspectives. Washington, DC: World Bank.
  4. Reid, J.L., Kagan, S.L., Rao, N., & Landsberg, E. (2019). Strong policy foundations. In S.L. Kagan (Eds.), The Early Advantage 2 -Building systems that work for young children. International insights from innovative early childhoo dsystems. (pp. 20 –  49). New York: Teachers College Press. 
  5. Rao, N., & Lau, C. (2018). Responsive policymaking and implementation: Enhancing ECEC system quality and equity in Hong Kong. In S.L. Kagan (Eds.), The Early Advantage 1 - Early childhood systems that lead by example. A comparative focus on international early childhood education (pp. 99 – 127). New York: Teachers College Press. 
  6. Rao, N., & Wong, J.M.S. (2018). Early childhood developmet. In M.H. Bornstein (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Lifespan Human Development (pp. 688-691). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 
  7. Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2018). Early childhood education in Hong Kong. In J. Roopnarine, J.E. Johnson, S. Quinn & M. Patte (Eds), Handbook of International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education (pp. 149-161). New York: Routledge. 
  8. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2017). Introduction. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.1-8). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
  9. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2017). Conclusions: Similarities and distinctions in early childhood education in Chinese societies. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.251-257). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
  10. Ng, S.S.N., Sun, J., Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2017). Early childhood education in Hong Kong: Progress, challenges and opportunities. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun, (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.147-169). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
  11. Sun, J., & Rao, N. (2017). Growing up in Chinese families and societies. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun, (Eds.).  Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.11-29). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
  12. Rao, N., Ng, S.S. N., & Sun, J. (2016). Early learning experiences of young Chinese learners in Hong Kong: The role of traditional values and changing educational policy. In R.B. King & A.B.I. Bernardo (Eds.), The psychology of Asian learners, 978-981-287-575-4, 322416_1_En, (39). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
  13. Rao, N., Sun, J., & Wang, Y. (2015). Cognitive Research in Developing Countries. In A. Farrell, S.L, Kagan, S. L. and K. Tisdall (Eds.), The SAGEHandbook of Early Childhood Research (pp.449 – 466). Newbury Park, USA: Sage.
  14. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2015). Quality early childhood care and education in low resource level countries in Asia. In Early childhood care and education: Building the wealth of nations. Paris: UNESCO.
  15. McHale, J.P., Dinh, K.T., & Rao, N. (2014). Understanding coparenting and family systems among East and Southeast Asian- heritage families. In H. Selin (Ed.), Parenting across cultures: Childrearing, motherhood and fatherhood in non-western cultures (pp.163-173). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.  doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-7503-9_12.
  16. Sayed., Y, Kanjee, A., Rao, N. (2014). Assessment of and for Learning. In D.A. Wagner (Ed), Learning and Education in Developing Countries: Research and Policy for the 2014 UN Development Goals. Palgrave Pivot. 
  17. Rao, N., Sun, J., & Zhang, L. (2014). Learning to Learn in early childhood: Home and preschool influences in Chinese learners. In C. Stringher, & R. Deakin (Eds.) Learning to learn for all:Theory, practice and international research. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

 

Other publications

  1. Rao, N., Yang, Y. & Ranganathan, N. (2022) Measuring equitable access to early childhood education in Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. South Asia@ LSE.
  2. Rao, N., Chan, S.W.Y., Lee, D., & Becher, Y. (2020a). Early childhood development Assessment Scale and Caregiver Survey. Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong.
  3. Rao, N., Chan, S.W.Y., Lee, D., & Becher, Y. (2020b). Developmentally on Track Assessment Scale and Caregiver Survey. Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong.
  4. Rao, N., & Wong, J.M.S. (2018). Early childhood development. In M.H. Bornstein (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Lifespan Human Development (pp.688-691). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  5. Rao, N., Becher, Y., Lee, D., Richards, B., Sun, J., Bacon-Shone, J., Ip, P., Umayahara, M., & Chen, E. (2017). Assessing early development and learning: the East Asia-Pacific Early Childhood Development Scales (EAP-ECDS). EAP-ECDS Brief. ARNEC. UNICEF.
  6. Rao, N., Sun, J. Ip, P., Bacon-Shone, J., Sincovich, A., Ho, F.K., & Gao, S. (2016). Policy Brief. How are Cambodia’s children developing? Evidence-based policy recommendations for Early Childhood Care and Development.  UNICEF: Cambodia.
  7. Rao, N. & Pearson, E. (2015). Assessment of child development across cultures. Assessment and Development Matters. 7(3), 7-9.
  8. Rao, N., Sun, J., & Becher, Y. (2015). Assessing early development and learning across cultures: The East Asia Pacific-Early Child Development Scales. Assessment and Development  Matters, 7(2), 21 - 25.
  9. Rao, N., Sun, J., & Wong, J.M.S. (2013). Early childhood development and cognitive development in Low- and Middle- income countries. Evidence Brief for DFID, UK Government.
  10. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2011). Scaling-up early childhood programs: Moving towards evidence-based decision making in Asia. Bulletin of the International Society of Behavioral Development, Special Section on Intersections between Research and Social Policy. 60 (2), 23-27.  http://www.issbd.org/resources/files/JBD_Nov11.pdf
  11. Sun, J., Rao, N., & Zhang L. (2011). Policy Brief 1. Promoting the development of the under-threes: The critical role of government investment. Singapore: Asia Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood. Download PDF
  12. Sun, J., Rao, N., & Becher, Y. (2011). Policy Brief 5: Promoting the development of the under-threes: What does research tell us? Singapore: Asia Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood.

 

Invited/Keynote Paper 

  1. Rao, N. (2024, November). Supporting ADHD in the school environment. Invited moderator at Parallel workshops: Advancing ADHD care in practice at “International Conference on ADHD: Launch of the Lancet Psychiatry Series on Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder” by ADHD Access for All, November 2, 2024. 

  2. Rao, N. (2024, October). Enhancing equitable access to quality early childhood education: Noteworthy policy and practices. Invited speaker at International workshop “Enhancing Early Educaion and Development in Low- and Middle- Income Countries” by Khalifa Award for Education, October 14, 2024. (online)

  3. Rao, N. (2024, April). Invited panelist at Pre-schooling in India: Policy, progress, and practice, April 19, 2024. The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Harvard University. https://mittalsouthasiainstitute.harvard.edu/event/pre-schooling-in-india-policy-progress-and-practice/ (online)

  4. Rao, N. (2023, December). Measuring Global Progress in Meeting Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2. Presented at 12th OMEP Asia-Pacific Conference by the OMEP Australia. December 6-8, 2023. Sydney, Australia. https://event.mq.edu.au/omep2023/keynote-speakers#Nirmala 

  5. Rao, N. (2023, November). Nourishing young minds: Measuring the influence of preschools and homes. Presented at Study of Early Education and Development (SEED) conference by the Institute (Department) of Early Childhood Education of Beijing Normal University. November 4-6, 2023. Zhuhai, China. http://fe.english.bnu.edu.cn/html/003/1/202308/661.shtml 

  6. Rao, N. (2023, June). Regional Disparities in Early Achievement in China. Presented at Scholars in Residence programme by College of Education, United Arab Emirates University. June 7-9, 2023. Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

  7. Rao, N. (2023, April). Preschool Experiences, Home Learning Activities and Early Achievement in China: Regional and Urbanicity differences. Invited presentation at the CASER Research Seminar, April 13, 2023. https://caser.shanghai.nyu.edu/preschool-experiences-home-learning-activities-and-early-achievement-in-china-regional-and-urbanicity-differences/ (online)

  8. Rao, N. (2022, December). Beyond Formal Education. Invited panelist at the UNICEF HK 'Reimagine Education' International Forum 2022, Dec 6, 2022. Hong Kong. https://www.unicef.org.hk/en/news/latest_news/REIMAGINE_EDUCATION_INTERNATIONAL_FORUM/?back=c3acb621eafb5bd962e215ec85a35c4e

  9. Rao, N. (2022, November). Enhancing Early Childhood Education: Noteworthy Policies, Practices and Innovations. Invited presentation. Nurturing Early Learners Symposium 2022. (online)

  10. Rao, N. (2022, November). Effective Supervision to support the Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce. UNESCO World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (WCECCE). November 14-16, 2022. Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

  11. Rao, N. (2022, September). Social Determinants of stunting in China and India Temporal Trends. Invited presentation. 17th Congress of Asian Society of Pediatric Research. Sept 17-18, 2022. https://aspr2022.sciconf.cn/cn/web/index/ & https://aspr2022.sciconf.cn/en/web/program/13624 (online)

  12. Rao, N. (2022, September). [Webinar] From Learning Loss to Learning Recovery. Invited presentation. Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood. Sept 8, 2022, https://arnec.net/events/webinar-learning-loss-learning-recovery (online)

  13. Rao, N. (2022, June). Non-state actors in education: Lessons and experiences from regional experts. Invited presentation. APREMC II regional launch of 2021/2 UNESCO GEM Report. https://en.unesco.org/gem-report/non-state_actors (online)

  14. Rao, N. (2022, February). Supporting playful learning in the early years: Challenges and opportunities in the COVID-19 era. Invited keynote speech at the “Play n Gain” project result announcement online symposium, Social-emotional learning through play: Helping children stay connected in times of challenges. CAISE, the University of Hong Kong. https://www.jcplayngain.edu.hku.hk/symp2022?lang=en (online)

  15. Rao, N. (2021, December). Importance of early learning environments for promoting equality in education. Invited Intervention at the Opening Session of the International Seminar on the Evloving Rihgt to Education. UNESCO., Paris. https://events.unesco.org/event?id=968929687(online)

  16. Rao, N. (2021, November). Promoting learning at home and in early childhood education: What works and why? Keynote adress at the OMEP Asia Pacific Regional Conferrence 2021 - Strong Children Today, better Asia-Pacific Tomorrow, hosted by OMEP China and CHina National Society for Early Childhood Education (CNSECE), November 6, 2021. Hangzhou, China. http://hygl.07baby.com/?id=cHJITWpyaWw%3D(online). 

  17. Rao, N. (2021, October). Early Childhood Education Quality Matters. Engaging Policymakers in Early Childhood, World Bank, Early Learning Partnership. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIKI9EaRHZU(online)

  18. Rao, N. (2021, July). Right from the start: Ensuring quality and inclusive early childhood care and education for all – Launch Webinar. Global Education Monitoring Report and UNESCO.  https://events.unesco.org/event?id=4190107614&lang=1033
         and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17Q0HYeOx1A

  19. Rao, N. (2021, June). Scaling up quality early childhood Education: What gets measured gets done. Invited panelist at the Education Global Practices BBL Series, June 3, 2021. World Bank Education Practice.

  20. Rao, N. (2021, March). The Evolution of Early Childhood Education in Hong Kong: Prioritizing Quality in Policy. Keynote presentation at the College of Education, UAE University on Emirati Child Day, March 15, 2021 (online)

  21. Rao, N. (2020, December). Challenges in measuring participation in pre-primary education. Webinar on Harnessing Global Data for young children. Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN). https://www.ecdan.org/assets/harnessing-global-data-webinar-10-12-2020-presentations.pdf

  22. Rao, N. (2020, December). Invited panelist at the 3rd KICCE Webinar in collaboration with the UNESCO Bangkok & ARNEC on ECCE Policy Development Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region: Outcomes and Future Tasks. December 29, 2020. Korea. https://kicce.re.kr/eng/board/view.do?menu_idx=20&board_idx=41191&manage_idx=99 (online)

  23. Rao, N. (2020, November). Working with young children: What’s psychology got to do with it? Invited speaker at The Hong Kong Psychological Society Golden Jubilee Webinar Series II – Loving our work with children and families. November 20, 2020, Hong Kong. https://hkps.org.hk/en/conferences_and_events/detail/5/ (online)

  24. Rao, N. (2020, September). ECD Strategies in reaching out to children from poor communities during COVID 19, lessons learnt and policy implications. Invited moderator at the SAFECDP’s 2nd Webinar on ‘ECD in the times of COVID-A South Asia Perspective”, September 3, 2020, Bangladesh. http://www.ichdbd.org/professional-forum
  25. Rao, N. (2020, August). ECD Strategies in reaching out to children from poor communities during COVID 19, lessons learnt and policy implications. Invited moderator at the SAFECDP’s 1st Webinar on ‘ECD in the times of COVID-A South Asia Perspective”, August 6, 2020, Bangladesh. http://www.ichdbd.org/professional-forum

 

  1. (2024) Member, SBO Steering Committee, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 
  2. (Oct 2020-Jan 2021) Core Reference Group, Gender and Early Childhood Development Review, Education Research Team Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK Government
  3. (Jun 2021-2022) Member, Technical Advisory Group, Joint initiative for a Formative Assessment Package for preschool age children in South Asia, UNICEF (ROSA) and ARNEC
  4. (Nov 2020-2022) Member, Reference Group of USAID Pre-primary Guidance, US Government
  5. (2019-2020) Member, Advisory Committee of ECD Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Harvard, UNICEF, HarvardX
  6. (2019 - 2023) Member, Knowledge Fellow Steering Committee; (2024) Co-Chair, Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)
  7. (2018 - present) Member, Advisory Group, Early Childhood Workforce Initiative, ISSA and R4D, Netherlands
  8. (2018 - present) Member, Thematic Group on Early Childhood Care and Education Teachers and Facilitators (TG-ECCE) of the International Taskforce on Teachers for Education 2030 (TTF), UNESCO
  9. (2018 - present) Member, Advisory Board, South Asia Forum of Early Childhood Development Professionals (SAFECDP)
  10. (2017 - 2019) Member, Vetting Committee of SCOLAR's Research and Development Projects 2018-19
  11. (2014 - 2024) Council Member, HK Committee for UNICEF
  12. (2014 - 2020) Board Member, The English Schools Foundation
  13. (2013 - 2015) Member, Free Kindergarten Committee, Hong Kong SAR Government
  14. (2013 - 2015) Member, Sub-committee of Free Kindergarten Committee on Objectives, Teacher Professionalism and Research, Hong Kong SAR Government
  15. (2006 - 2012, 2015 - 2022) Specialist, Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications
  16. (2006 - 2012, 2014 - present) Memebr, Advocacy Sub-committee, HK Committee for UNICEF
  17. (2008 - present) Executive Committee Member, Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (PECERA) - Hong Kong
  18. (2014 - 2016) World Treasurer and World Executive Committee, Organisation Mondiale pour I’education Presoclaire (OMEP) (World Organisation for Early Childhood Education)
  19. (2012 - 2014) Membership and Professional Standards Committee member, Hong Kong Psychological Society
  20. (1996 - 2013) Executive Committee Member, Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights

Editorial Board Membership

Associate Editor

  • Child Development (2013 - 2022)
  • Developmental  Psychology (2013 - 2014)
  • International Journal of Early Childhood (2010 - 2014)

Member of Editorial Board

  • International Journal of Child Care and Educational Policy
  • Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education
  • International Journal of Play

Book Series

  • ​International perspectives on early childhood education and development (Springer)

 

Current Professional Memberships

  • Member - OMEP (World Organization of Early Childhood Education - Hong Kong) 
  • Member - National Association for the Education of Young Children (US)
  • Member - Society for Research in Child Development
  • Fellow & Member - Hong Kong Psychological Society
  • Member - American Psychological Association
  • Fellow - British Psychological Society

 

Participation in International Meetings as a Specialist

  1. Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP). Chair of Expert Panel Meeting. Nanyang Technological University. July 3-5, 2024, Singapore.
  2. Technical Expert Group Meeting on International Early Learning and Child Well-Being Study. Australian Council for Educational Research. Jun 19-21, 2024. Leuven, Belgium
  3. Technical Expert Group Meeting on International Early Learning and Child Well-Being Study. Australian Council for Educational Research. October 4-6, 2023. Hamburg, Germany
  4. Technical Meeting on Brain Health Metrics. WHO. May 2-3, 2023. Geneva, Switzerland
  5. World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (WCECCE). November 14-16, 2022, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  6. European Research Council Starting Grant Evaluation 2022, Step 1 & 2 Panel Meeting. ERC, Brussels. March and June 2022, Brussels, Belgium
  7. European Research Council Starting Grant Evaluation 2020, Step 1 & 2 Panel Meeting. ERC, Brussels. March and June 2020, Brussels, Belgium
  8. Quality Early Learning Project Authors' Workshop. World Bank. August 12, 2019, Washington, DC.
  9. Technical Meeting on the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). UNICEF New York. June 18-19, 2019, Tarrytown, New York, US.
  10. Technical Meeting on the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). UNICEF New York. May, 2019.
  11. Early Advantage 2 Release Event. National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE). May 16, 2019, Washington, US.
  12. Project Advisory Group Meeting on Global Scales of Early Development Project (GSED). World Health Organization. November 2, 2018, Washington, US.
  13. IBE Technical Consultation Meeting on Early Childhood Care and Education. UNICEF, UNESCO and UAE Ministry of Education. September 24 - 26, 2018, Dubai, UAE.
  14. European Research Council Starting Grant Evaluation 2018, Step 1 & 2 Panel Meeting. ERC, Brussels. March and June 2018, Brussels, Belgium
  15. Technical Meeting on the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). UNICEF New York. November, 2018.
  16. East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS) Short Form Regional Training Workshop. UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office and ARNEC. July 12 to 14, 2017 Bangkok, Thailand)
  17. Technical Meeting on the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). UNICEF New York. September 2016 New York.
  18. European Research Council Starting Grant Evaluation 2016, Step 1 & 2 Panel Meeting. ERC, Brussels. March and June 2016, Brussels, Belgium
  19. Special Advisor to National Institute of Education (NIE) Director and Senior Management. April 25-27, 2016, NIE, Singapore
  20. International Advisory Group (IAG). UNESCO Ethiopia. February 16-18, 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  21. Techincal Workshop on Measuring Early Learning Quality and Outcomes (MELQO). Organised by the Brookings Institution, UNESCO, World Bank and UNICEF. July 20-23, 2015, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
  22. International Advisory Group for the Survey of Teachers in Pre-Primary Education (STEPP). UNESCO Paris. July 15-17, 2015, Paris, France
  23. Meeting on Population-level Assessment of Early Child Development, Centre International de Conférences, Genève (CICG), Geneva, Switzerland, WHO. March 11-12, 2014, Geneva, Switzerland
  24. First Meeting of the Steering Committee for the Lancet Series on Early Child Development, WHO. January 27-28,2014, Geneva, Switzerland
  25. Holistic Early Childhood Development Indicators: Technical Committee Meeting, UNESCO. June 21-22, 2012, UNICEF House, New York, USA
  26. Global Compact on Learning - Research Task Force. Organized by Center for Universal Education, Brookings Institute at UNESCO Paris Headquartters. March 7-9, 2012, Paris, France
  27. UNESCO (interagency) Technical Meeting on the Holistic Early Child Development Index (HECDI) meeting. UNESCO Paris. Septermber 13-15, 2011, Paris, France
  28. World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (Expert Committee). Organized by UNESCO, CIty of Moscow & the Russian Federation. June 2009 - Sept 2010, Moscow, Russia

 

Courses taught at HKU

Undergraduate

  • Girl Power in a Man’s world (Common Core Course)
  • Perspectives on Early Childhood Development and Learning
  • Introduction to Research Methods
  • Observation and Assessment of Children and Early Childhood Programmes

M.Ed.

  • Research Methods (from 2019 - 2020)
  • Promoting Child Development in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programmes
  • Developmental Psychology (for Educators)
  • Social Development and Play in ECE
  • Cognition and Language in ECE
  • Child Observation and Study
  • Child Study & Evaluation of Early Childhood programmes

Postgraduate Diploma in Education 

  • Early Childhood Development (Major Method)
  • Understanding Controversial Issues in ECE

B.A./ B.Soc.Sc

  • Understanding and Guiding the Development of Young Children

 

Supervised over 50 Master’s and Bachelor’s theses

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