Early Language and Literacy for Diverse Children Lab

Publications & Presentations

We study language and literacy development in young children who are culturally and linguistically diverse. 

Our research aims to increase our understanding of factors that impact the development of language, literacy  and overall school readiness abilities in preschool children learning two languages in the context of linguistic, social, and economical diversity.  This knowledge will provide the foundation for realizing our second research aim, that of developing and evaluating evidence-based assessment, treatment and instructional approaches that support school readiness for culturally and linguistically diverse preschoolers at risk for language, literacy and academic disparities.

 

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Book Chapters: Peer Reviewed

  • Simon-Cereijido, G., Méndez, L. I. (2022). Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Approaches to Language Intervention, in Bilingual Language Development and Disorders in Spanish-English Speakers (3rd Edition), ed. B. Goldstein, 381-398. Towson, Maryland: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

 

Articles in Refereed Journals

  • Méndez, L. I., Bitetti D. & Perry, J., (accepted). A Cross-cultural Perspective of Narrative Retells in Kindergarten Children. Bilingual Research Journal
  • Méndez, I., Lee, T., Hegde, A. V., McMillan, V., Goodell, L. S., Bayles, J. & Stage, V. (in press). Let’s Talk: Linking Science and Language Learning in the Preschool Classroom. Young Children. https://www.proquest.com/openview/cee46e5449e8b134b18300af12c7a03c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=27755
  • Stage, C., Resor, J., Dixon, J., Hegde, A. V., Méndez, L. I., Lee, T., Goodell, S., McMillan, V., & Gilliam, E. M. (in press). More PEAS Please! Teaching Teachers How to Integrate Food-based Learning into Preschool Science. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2023.02.005
  • Simón-Cereijido, G., Greene, K. & Méndez, L. I, (2023). Teaching Undergraduate Students About Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Assessment and Pedagogical Challenges. Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 7(2), 13. doi:10.30707/TLCSD7.2.1690393489.779398
  • Dixon, J., Hegde, A. V., Goodell, L. S., Arnold, N. L., Swindle, T., Dev, D. A., Méndez, L. I., McMillan, V., Lee, T. & Stage, V. (2023). Integration of Food-based Learning with Science in the Preschool Classroom: Implementation Gaps and Opportunities. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(4), 266-284. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2023.01.002
  • DuBay, M, Watson, R., Méndez, L. I., & Rojevic, C. (2021). Psychometric Comparison of the English and Spanish Western-Hemisphere Versions of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 42(9), 717-725.  doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000000968
  • Holt, Y., Méndez, L. I., Mills, M. T., & O’Brien, K. F. (2021). Phonological and Morphological Awareness Interventions with African American Children. The Journal of Negro Education, 90(1), 26-37. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/820509
  • Crais, E., McComish, C. S., Kertcher, E. F., Hooper, S., Pretzel, R., Méndez, L. I., & Villalobos, M. (2020). Autism Spectrum Disorder Identification, Diagnosis, and Navigation of Services: Learning from The Voices of Caregivers. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 35(4), 246–256. doi:10.1177/1088357620922165.
  • Méndez, I., & Simon-Cereijido, G. (2019). A View of The Lexical-Grammatical Link in Young Latinos with Specific Language Impairment Using Language-Specific and Conceptual Measures, Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62(6), 1775-1786. doi:10.1044/2019_JSLHR-L-18-0315
  • Simon-Cereijido, & Méndez, L. I., (2019). Similarities And Differences in The Lexical-Grammatical Relation of Young Dual Language Learners with And Without Specific Language Impairment. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 34 (1-2), 92-109. doi:10.1080/02699206.2019.1611926
  • Méndez, L. I., Crais, E., & Kainz, K. (2018). The Impact of Individual Differences on A Bilingual Vocabulary Approach for Latino Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 61(4), 897-909. doi:10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-17-0186
  • Méndez, I., Hammer, C., Lopez, L., & Blair, C. (2018). Examining Language and Early Numeracy Skills in Young Latino Dual Language Learners. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 46, 252-261.  doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.02.004 
  • Méndez, I., Perry, J., Holt, Y., Bian, H., & Fafulas, S. (2018). Same Or Different: Narrative Retells in Bilingual Latino Kindergarten Children. Bilingual Research Journal, 41(2), 150-166. doi:10.1080/15235882.2018.1456984
  • Simon-Cereijido, G. & Méndez, L. I. (2018). Using Language-Specific and Bilingual Measures to Explore Lexical-Grammatical Links in Young Latino Dual Language Learners. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 49(3), 537-550. doi:10.1044/2018_LSHSS-17-0058.
  • Perry, J., Kotlarek, K., Méndez, L. I., Holt, Y., Fafulas, S. (2018). Nasometric Comparison Between Spanish- English Bilingual and English Monolingual Children. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 56(3), 331-339. doi:10.1177/1055665618786350
  • Castro, D., Gillanders, C., Franco, X., Bryant, D. M., Zepeda, M., Willoughby, M., & Méndez, L. I. (2017). Early Education of Dual Language Learners: An Efficacy Study of The Nuestros Niños School Readiness Professional Development Program. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 40, 188-203. doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2017.03.002
  • Gillanders, C., Franco, X., Seidel, K., Castro, C., & Méndez, L. I. (2016). Young Dual Language Learners’ Emergent Writing Development. Early Child Development and Care, 187(3-4), 371-382. doi:10.1080/03004430.2016.1211124.
  • Lewis, K., Sandilos, L., Hammer, C. S., Sawyer, B. E., & Méndez, L. I. (2015). Relations Among the Home Language and Literacy Environment and Children’s Language Abilities: A Study of Head Start Dual Language Learners and Their Mothers. Early Education and Development, 27(4), 478-494. doi:10.1080/10409289.2016.1082820.
  • Méndez, I., Crais, E., Castro, D., & Kainz, K. (2015). A Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Vocabulary Approach for Young Latino Dual Language Learners. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 58(1), 93-106. doi:10.1044/2014_JSLHR-L-12-0221.
  • Méndez, I (2014) Supporting Vocabulary Development in Latino Preschoolers: Cultural and Linguistic Considerations. Advances in Early Education and Day Care 18, 45-67. doi:10.1108/S0270-402120140000018003

 

Selected Refereed Presentations

(* Denotes student collaboration)

  • Méndez, L. I., Simon-Cereijido, G. & Barragan, B. Un Marco de Referencia Lingüístico y Cultural para Guiar el Tratamiento de Niño/as Bilingües con TDL. (July 2023). Podium Presentation. II Congreso Hispanohablante sobre el Trastorno Específico/del Desarrollo del Lenguaje (CHITEL 2023). Bogotá, Colombia. 
  • Kayumova, S., Méndez, L.I., Quintos, B., Civil, M. & González-Howard, M. Applying Translanguaging, Culture & Community-Sustaining Pedagogies and STEAM as Asset-Based Approaches to Broadening Participation in STEM (June 2023). Panel Presentation. DRK-12 National Science Foundation PI Conference, Arlington, VA (virtual).
  • Méndez, I., La Paro K., Lee, T., Stage, V. & Su, H., Bilingualtek: An Integrated Language-Science Instructional Approach for Latino/a Dual Language Learners. (June 2023). Poster Presentation. DRK-12 National Science Foundation PI Conference, Arlington, VA
  • *Uribe, K., Duval, M., Sharpe, E., Obermeyer, J. & Méndez, L. I., Examining Narratives Across Cultural Contexts (April 2023). Poster presentation, North Carolina Speech, Hearing and Language Association, Annual Conference, Durham NC
  • *Perez-Luna, B., Jimenez, V., Enciso-Vasquez, M., Prieto, E., Simon-Cereijido, G., Barragan, B. & Méndez, L. I Similarities and Differences in Measures of Vocabulary Depth and Breadth in Monolingual and Bilingual Adults. (April 2023). Poster presentation, North Carolina Speech, Hearing and Language, Annual Conference, Durham, NC
  • *Loya, A., Tapia, J., Prieto, E., Riley, J., Simon-Cereijido, G., Barragan, B. & Méndez, L. I., The Effects of Order Presentation and Relative Proficiency on Verbal Fluency in Bilingual Adults, (March 2023), Poster presentation, California Speech Language Hearing Association Foundation, Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA
  • * Prieto, E., Duarte, S., Barragan, B., Simon-Cereijido, G., Méndez, L. I., Mixon, A., & Perez-Luna, B. Inhibition and Switching Advantage in Proficient Bilinguals, (March 2023), Poster presentation, California Speech Language Hearing Association Foundation, Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA
  • *Loya, A., Prieto, E., Riley, J., Verdugo, C., Enciso-Vasquez, M., Méndez, L.I., Barragan, B. & Simon-Cereijido,G. Emotional Verbal Fluency Across Two Languages in Healthy Bilingual Adults. (Nov 2022). Poster Presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, New Orleans
  • *Tapia, J., Prieto, E., Loya, A., Duarte, S., Verdugo, C., Méndez, L.I., Barragan, B. & Simon-Cereijido, G., Sixty-Seconds Go! Exploring Semantic Verbal Fluency among Bilinguals. (Nov 2022). Poster Presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, New Orleans
  • *Duarte, S., Loya, A., Prieto, E., Riley, J., Verdugo, C., Enciso-Vasquez, M., Barragan, B., Méndez, L.I. & Simon-Cereijido, G. Short-term Memory, Verbal Fluency, and Receptive Vocabulary in Bilingual Healthy Adults. (Nov 2022). Poster Presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, New Orleans
  • Méndez, I., La Paro K., Lee, T. & Stage, V., Science and Language Instruction Practices That Support Latino/A Dual Language Learners in Head Start. (June 2022). Poster Presentation. National Research Conference in Early Childhood, Annual Conference (Virtual)
  • Simón-Cereijido, G., Greene, K. & Méndez, L. I, The Cultural and Linguistic Diversity of Communication Sciences and Disorders Latinx Students (March 2022). Podium Presentation. California Speech Language Hearing Association Foundation, Annual Conference, Pasadena, CA
  • *Simón-Cereijido, G., Méndez, L. I., Barragan, B., Baez, R., Luna, L. & Moreno-Rile, J. (November 2021), Exploring the Strengths and Educational Needs of Bilingual Latinx Students in Communication Disorders Podium Presentation, Annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Conference, DC
  • Simón-Cereijido, G., Greene, K. & Méndez, L. I & Barragan, B., (March 2021) A More Subtle View of The Cultural and Linguistic Diversity of Communication Sciences and Disorders Latinx Students. Podium Presentation. California Speech Language Hearing Association Foundation, Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA
  • Méndez, L. I., Bedore, L., Peña, E., & Simon-Cereijido, G. (June 2021). The Lexical and Grammatical Developmental Trajectory in Preschool and School Age Dual Language Learners. Podium presentation. Congreso Hispanohablante del Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje (CHITEL), Barcelona, Spain (virtual)
  • Méndez, I., & Bitetti D., (November 2019). A Cross-cultural View of Narratives. Presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Annual Conference, Orlando, FL
  • *Nazzal, L., Bates, L., Méndez, L. I., (April 2019). Technology Assisted Academic Vocabulary Instruction for Latino Preschoolers. Poster Presentation, North Carolina Speech, Language and Hearing Association, Annual Convention, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Méndez, I., & Simón-Cereijido, G. (November 2018). Lexical-Grammatical Associations in Young Latino Dual Language Learners with Specific Language Impairment. Poster Presentation, American Speech- Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Annual Conference, Boston, MA
  • Scarpino, S., Méndez, L.I., Bitetti, D. & Hammer Scheffner, C. (November 2018). Vocabulary & Phonological Awareness Associations Across Languages in Kindergarten Latino Children. Poster Presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Annual Conference, Boston, MA
  • Simón-Cereijido, G. & Méndez, L. I., (October, 2018). An Examination of Lexical- Grammatical Links in Young Dual Language Learners with and Without Primary Language Impairment Using Language-Specific and Bilingual Measures. Podium Presentation. 17th International Clinical Phonetics and Linguistics Conference (ICPLA), St Julian, Malta
  • Gillanders, C., Franco, X., Seidel, K., Castro, C., & Méndez, L. I. (July 2018). Young Dual Language Learners’ Emergent Writing Development, Poster Presentation. International Literacy Association Conference, Austin, TX
  • Méndez, I., & Simón-Cereijido, G., (June, 2018). Development of the Lexical-Grammatical Association in Latino Dual Language Learners. Poster Presentation. 2018 National Research Conference on Early Childhood (NRCEC), Arlington, VA
  • Simón-Cereijido, G., Conboy, B., Méndez, L. I. Peña, E., Bedore, L., (2017). Trends in Content-Form Associations in the Language of Dual Language Seminar Presentation. American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Conference, LA, CA
  • *Capps, , Gatlin, P., Méndez, L. I., (2017). Same or Different: Narratives in Bilingual Children. Poster Presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA
  • Méndez, I., Simón-Cereijido, G., (June, 2017). Exploring the Lexical-Grammatical Relation in Spanish- English Young Dual Language Learners. Poster Presentation at the 11th International Symposium on Bilingualism. Limerick, Ireland
  • Méndez, I., (2016). An Academic Vocabulary Approach for Latino Preschoolers. Poster Presentation, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA
  • Méndez, I., (2016) Individual Differences and a Bilingual Vocabulary and Literacy Approach for Latino Preschoolers, Poster Presentation. Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) National Research Conference on Early Childhood, Washington, DC