Anita Zucker Center

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Here's to the next chapter, and to a future where every child thrives.

Their legacy lives on in the lives of children, families, & communities impacted by the Center's work. Though stepping back from leadership, they will remain connected as emeritus faculty, continuing to inspire & support our mission.

After 15 years of visionary leadership, our founding Director & Co-Director are retiring from their formal roles at UF. Their dedication made the Center a beacon of excellence in early childhood studies, guided by the 3R's of Early Learning: Relationships, Repetition, & Routines.

The UF community celebrated the dedication of Anita Zucker Hall at the UF Early Childhood Collaboratory. Named after @UF_COE alumna Anita G. Zucker (BAE ’72), the hall stands as a testament to her commitment to the education of future generations. ceecs.education.ufl.edu/anita-zucker-h…

FLIPA focuses on families with children enrolled in Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK). For those familiar with using the FLICCA, the index calculation aligns with the method used there, but for the FLIPA, it is applied at the classroom level.

The Early Childhood Policy Research Group is proud to introduce the Florida Index of Preschool Access (FLIPA). This is a new tool designed to help policymakers and program leaders better understand preschool access across the state. thesunshineportal.org/the-flipa-anno…

Center members recently joined colleagues from the @LastingerCenter and faculty from the @UF_COE in honoring the 2025 Chiles, Impact, and Youth Advocate Award recipients during #ChildrensWeekFL, celebrating exceptional efforts on behalf of Florida’s children, youth and families.

We are proud to share that our Center’s namesake, Anita Zucker, was recognized with the Dean’s Excellence Award for her profound impact on the Center, @UF_COE, @UF, and, most importantly, the lives of children and families across the nation and world.

Children are more likely to follow directions when they know a preferred activity follows. To encourage cooperation, use “First/Then” instructions: “First ask for a turn. Then you can play with the ball."  ceecs.education.ufl.edu/atoz/d-discipl…

Help children learn what’s expected by praising appropriate behavior, like playing safely on the playground. Positive reinforcement strengthens good habits and helps children understand boundaries. ceecs.education.ufl.edu/atoz/d-discipl…

Did you know there are positive discipline strategies for reducing challenging behavior and supporting positive behavior? Visit Letter D is for Discipline to learn more. ceecs.education.ufl.edu/atoz/d-discipl…

I’m happy to be tabling with the Anita Zucker Center @AZ_CEECS for the Undergraduate Research symposium. Come visit us at the Reitz Union until 6pm to learn more about our projects and how to get involved! @MaureenConroy5 @patriciaazceecs

Last night, during the VP debate, candidates were asked to address the topic of childcare access and affordability.  A recent FED partner update by Drs. Brittany Birken and Herman Knopf frame the issue and illustrate childcare affordability challenges. go.ufl.edu/childcare-fina…

Wondering how to boost your child's learning? Focus on their "Zone of Proximal Development"—the space between what they can do and what they're almost ready to achieve! ceecs.education.ufl.edu/atoz/letter-z-…

Supporting your child during everyday routines can lead to big developmental gains! Discover their "Zone of Proximal Development" and help them grow. ceecs.education.ufl.edu/atoz/letter-z-…

Did you know there are practices for supporting young children while learning new skills? Visit Letter Z is for Zone of Proximal Development to learn more. ceecs.education.ufl.edu/atoz/letter-z-…

Among this year’s speakers is our own Herman Knopf, Ph.D., who has worked to strengthen systems and coordinate efforts that leverage existing administrative data to support data-informed policy decision making. Join us on September 10 to learn more.

We spoke with @ufalumni Brian Boyd (Ph.D., ’05), the new director of UNC’s @FPGInstitute. Boyd credits his EduGator mentor, Maureen Conroy, Ph.D., for helping him develop the interests and skills that drive his career. education.ufl.edu/alumni/2024/08…

With @UF's fall semester upon us, Center members and affiliates recently had the opportunity to welcome incoming students during orientation sessions for the @UF_COE's Early Childhood MAE program. Go EduGators! 🔶🔷🐊

Meet Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap Advisory Board member Dr. Herman Knopf, a Senior Research Scientist at @AZ_CEECS! Check out his thoughts on the exciting impact of the Roadmap! 🌐: bit.ly/floridas-early… #EarlyLearning #EarlyChildhood #TheChildrensMovement